MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2012-01-06T23:20:16Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Main cast */

{{Nav-dotm}}
[[Image:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/1ef99019addbf7f207595f5da129bfb6-690.php 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==
[[Image:Dotm-Arkreflection.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"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 it's 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 Sounwave 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.

[[Image:DOTM-Sentinelendofyourworld.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"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. Arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime reveals that he had made a deal with Megatron, knowing that the Autobots could never win the war. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and several NEST soldiers, Sentinel Prime 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 Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

[[Image:DOTM-Moonspacebridge.jpg|thumb|left|280px|"We are one big, happy fleet! Ah, 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''.

[[Image:DOTM Driller vs Prime.jpg|right|thumb|280px|"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's "pet", the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using wingsuits, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobots' inventor Que. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to take 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. While NEST and the Autobots fight the Decepticons and kill most of them, Optimus Prime kills Shockwave and uses his arm cannon to topple over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

[[Image:DOTMCybertrontransit.jpg|thumb|left|280px|"Earth was created in six days. Now, watch out! Here comes Genesis! We'll do it for you in six minutes!"]]

A fight between Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime ensues, during which Optimus loses an arm, with Sentinel gaining the upper hand. 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 Prime is alive. Infuriated, he intervenes in the battle and turns on Sentinel, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule, and severely damages him. 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. 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. Megatron offers Optimus Prime a truce as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces, but Optimus ignores his plea and just as Megatron is about to shoot his shotgun Optimus splits Megatron's head with an axe. Subsequently, he uses Megatron's shotgun cannon to kill a weakened Sentinel Prime, who is trying to excuse his actions.

[[Image:DOTM Autobots NEST victorious.jpg|thumb|right|280px|"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.

[['Til all are one]].

==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''': "No, I've seen that. This is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''."
:—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.

[[Image:DOTM-MegatronLincoln.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"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]].

"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.

"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]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[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]])
*[[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]])
*[[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/>

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charlie Adler]])
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]])
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Igor]] ([[Greg Berg]])
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Crowbar]] ([[Jimmie Wood]])*
*[[Hatchet]]
*[[Driller]]
*[[Hatchling|Hatchlings]]
*[[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]]
*[[Superfund Decepticon]]
*[[Long-legged 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|''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, Prypiat'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://www.flickr.com/photos/nubber/544337347/ Photo of the Prypiat 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.
* 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!

===Continuity errors===
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his [[license plate]] from the [[Transformers (2007)|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.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (subgroup)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force 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 before arriving in Chicago, and has yet another outfit the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' Epps 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?
* Throughout the sequence of Barricade kicking and shoving Que along before executing him, he is speaking with Soundwave's voice.
*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.
*Soundwave has his 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.
*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.
*Dino used his electro-disrupter to overthrow Hatchet and kill him. When Hatchet falls on the car and is destroyed, Dino's weapon is still connected to him, so Dino was in robot mode, but in the next cut Dino appears at background in vehicle mode.
*It's said that four Autobots were captured by the Decepticons in Chicago, but actually five Autobots were captured.
*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 decapitated head.
*Oddly, during the Decpticon siege of Chicago, and after all of the unmanned drones were shot down trying to get inside the city, no one within the government considered the use of submarines as a means of sneaking in.

==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 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.

* 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]]."

* The idea of the Decepticons invading and fortifying a major metropolitan center, and the Autobots having to take it back, was also explored in the Generation 1 episode [[City of Steel]].

* 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 likely the famous ''TOS'' episode ''[[Wikipedia: Amok Time|Amok Time]]''.

* 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]].

==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)]]''
*''[[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'' will be 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>

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image: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 movie 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 (so far).<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. Currently it is 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.)

==Production staff==
===Visual effects===
===Locations department===

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (2007)|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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/0fd64fd57c9b9b6d33e15c76a46dae48-565.php 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/blog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php 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)|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and is 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>

===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"/>

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://articlles.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> 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://movies.ign.com/articles/118/1180411p1.html "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 serve as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a police car. Nobody was seriously injured this time.<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>

''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 US 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 ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]]) and a Mercedes-Benz E550 ([[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]). Both robots sport names in the movie 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]].

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]], [[Wikipedia:CNN|CNN]], [[Wikipedia: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 [[Wikipedia:Nokia|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).

*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]].

* 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 [[Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

* 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.

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon''. 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]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "Colossus" for the [[Driller]]<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref>, "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[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".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]

* 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"/>

* 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]]".

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at 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.
{{-}}

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[Image:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|300px|right|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 [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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>

[[Image:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|300px|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 (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered on [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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=mIuqiepu4UY 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 (2007)|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.
** 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 Optimus was shown to have his swords still in his arms during the battle for Chicago). Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. (To be fair, he dropped his cannons during the final battle in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has an ordinary handheld shotgun. (then again his arm that turned into his Fusion cannon was ripped off by Prime in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) The only ones who still seem to have the same converting arm cannons as in the previous movies are Bumblebee, Ratchet, and Starscream.

* [[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/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido 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'''''
*''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'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biàn-hsín 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: The Time When the Moon Becomes Black")

==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]

{{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]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-08-09T22:05:11Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Dark of the Moon film */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

'''Megatron''' was not always the viciously powerful and brutally direct leader of the Decepticons: he was once brothers-in-arms with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and a student of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]], appointed to be Cybertron's [[Lord High Protector|Protector]] and commander of its [[Defense Force]]. But Megatron resented his comrade, knowing he was a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and therefore Sentinel's favored son. This anger allowed [[The Fallen]] to ensnare him and led to the revival of the Decepticons. Even without The Fallen though, it's not hard to imagine Megatron would have erupted Cybertron into war to rid himself of Optimus.

Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have chased after the [[AllSpark]] alone, and spent centuries entombed in the [[Arctic]]. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Like his master, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards [[human]]s and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the dark age of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the fall of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], Megatron became a follower of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]. Sentinel recovered the [[AllSpark]], and planned to transport a sun to repower it and the rest of Cybertron. The [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacon]]s, who believed Sentinel to be a mad heretic, launched an attack on the AllSpark's facility. Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] fended off the Thetacons when Sentinel and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] successfully transported a star to Cybertron. The Thetacons laid down their arms, but Megatron resented that so many of his comrades had died before Cybertron's new dawn, and it was only by Optimus's persuasion that Megatron found it within himself to forgive his enemies and shake the Thetacon [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s hand. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}

That evening, Megatron eavesdropped on a conversation between Sentinel and Optimus. Sentinel claimed Optimus was also a Prime, and intended to make him the new ruler of Cybertron. Optimus refused, unable to accept he was a Prime and somehow superior to his comrades. The next day, Megatron grumbled to Shockwave that if he were Optimus, he would have accepted Sentinel's offer. They came across a [[Driller]] attacking a [[hatchling]] field trip, and successfully shot the creature to pieces. Megatron asked for the name of the Cybertronian who volunteered the guard the hatchlings: his name was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].

Three days later at the capital city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]], Sentinel Prime officially declared Cybertron's unification, and announced the planet would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]], and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} For two generations, Optimus and Megatron ruled Cybertron successfully, creating a balance of fair and firm leadership. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} When [[Malcontent]] activity increased on Cybertron, Megatron met with Optimus and requested supreme authority in protecting the planet. Optimus obliged. Megatron then requested to be called [[Lord High Protector]] and to be addressed as "sir". {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

After Commander Starscream returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], Optimus was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near [[Simfur Temple]] and the unusual pulse waves that the AllSpark had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in Trypticon. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would truly make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} He ordered the execution of the "false" Primes — though he knew Sentinel and Optimus were Primes, he needed to give his followers a villain. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

As Cybertron is devastated by the worsening war, Sentinel Prime is forced to make a deal with Megatron to seek out another planet whose resources they can exploit to restore their homeworld. The chosen planet is the resting place of the Primes' Star Harvester. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}{{storylink|Dark of the Moon issue 3}}

Ironhide led an attack on Simfur Temple. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Megatron stood at the gate and slaughtered many Autobots as Elita-One and [[Chromia (ROTF)|her]] [[Arcee (Movie)|sisters]] used the AllSpark to activate a "torch" made by Sentinel. Optimus finally appeared to fend off Megatron and ensure Elita-One escaped to give Sentinel the torch. Sentinel boarded the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]] with the torch to retrieve Optimus from Simfur, but to both Optimus and Megatron's horror, Starscream attacked the Ark, destroying it. The Autobots fled, but Megatron correctly deduced Optimus would return with a vengeance. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} From his [[Lord High Protector citadel|citadel]], Megatron watched as Optimus and Ironhide battled their way through his defenses. When Optimus finally entered the tower, he found Megatron covered in hatchlings and daring him to kill them with him, gloating that Optimus would never go far enough. Optimus revealed he didn't: it had all been a distraction as Wheeljack, Chromia and Arcee stole the AllSpark aboard a second [[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]. With the AllSpark removed from Sentinel's device, the sun it held in place disappeared. Optimus escaped, rescuing Ironhide from Starscream and Shockwave while leaving Megatron to free himself of his hungry hatchlings. Megatron swore he would recover the AllSpark, and that if he would have to travel across the entire universe to do so, he would kill every Autobot. {{storylink|Foundation|Foundation #1-4}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his again, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|"I HAVE WALKED INTO THIS!"]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japanese), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Spanish)

{{cleanup|July 2011|Hes a main character}}

[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Got these chains on me And they're draggin' me down Got these chains on me Hear that clankin' sound?'']]

Three years after Operation: Firestorm and the death of the Fallen, Megatron hid out in the plains of Namibia, Africa in exile. There, still visibly bearing the scars of his latest battle with Optimus Prime, he sat on a throne of junk with only [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], and the diminutive [[Igor]] to command. Megatron returned with food for the [[Hatchling]]s that were with him. Some elephants and zebra's came along but Megatron roared and scared them off. Starscream returned after a patrol and expressed his concern for his masters scar's but Megatron was less than concerned with his scars. [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] returned after observing [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]s fight with Optimus and told Megatron that the Autobot's discovered the Ark engine. Megatron then announced that the humans that were working for him had served their purpose and ordered Laserbeak to kill them.

[[Image:DOTM-MegatronLincoln.jpg|left|thumb|250px|]]
After [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream traveled to Washington D.C. (somehow), where Megatron outlined his scheme to his second-in-command. Apparently, Sentinel was supposed to rendezvous with Megatron there on Earth, but the circumstances caused them both to be deactivated, and Sentinel was the only one who knew how to activate the [[space bridge]]. However, Megatron had a contingency plan: since they already had the pillars on the Moon and Optimus had recovered the Matrix of Leadership, he merely needed Optimus to revive Sentinel, so he could activate the pillars. And so arrived that moment, and Megatron blasted President Lincoln off his stone throne, and used the remains as a seat, where he declared "Here we are. Fight us NOW."

Soon, they traveled to Chicago, Illinois, where Sentinel and Megatron planned to start their global takeover. After Megatron stated that this was the world that he promised, that this way Cybertron would be restored, Sentinel, felt his partner was getting too chummy, and violently reminded Megatron of his place. Sentinel did not work for Megatron, Megatron worked with Sentinel. Megatron was shoved off the building into the street below. (even though Megatron stated that ''they'', as in both of them, would work together to rebuild Cybertron, but we can't really blame someone named "Prime" for disliking Megatron...).

Megatron was unable to foresee that Sentinel would betray him as well, who took control of the Decepticon forces stationed there. The Decepticon leader lay in another throne of junk, sulking. That is, until he was goaded by [[Carly Spencer]], a human, to return to battle and kill Sentinel for usurping him. And that is what he came close to doing: he intervened in the battle between Optimus and Sentinel just before the latter was about to deal the fatal blow to the former, and severely wounded Sentinel. 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. Thinking that he was dead, Megatron decided to make a truce with Optimus, as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces saying "Besides, Who would you be without me, Prime?" Optimus declared that they would find out, just as Megatron is about open fire, Optimus smashed Megatron's head with an energy axe, and tore it off his body, killing the tyrant once and for all. He then used his nemesis' fusion shotgun to end Sentinel's life once and for all.
{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===Revenge of the Fallen (mobile game)===
As part of the plan to reactivate the "[[Star Harvester|Great Machine]]", [[The Fallen]] resurrected Megatron using an [[AllSpark]] fragment retrieved from [[Shanghai]] by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. Megatron contacted Starscream, calling him back to base, so they could enact the next part of the plan. The Fallen instructed him to take the troops to [[Egypt]] to find the [[Matrix of Leadership]], though Megatron didn't think it was a good idea. In Egypt, he found [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] had defeated [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]], so he took the Autobot and the [[NEST]] personnel present as hostages and took possession of the Matrix. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] arrived, but Megatron pointed out he was no match for the powered-up Decepticon leader. Optimus agreed, and combining [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]'s parts with his own, soundly defeated Megatron. At that point The Fallen arrived, and Megatron was able to escape while Optimus Prime was otherwise occupied. Back at base, Megatron promised that now he was in total command of the Decepticons, the Autobots days were numbered. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]]

Three years after the battle at the pyramids, Megatron had retreated to a Decepticon base in an unknown missle silo, along with some hatchlings which hs stored among the silo's corridors. From there, he commanded Decepticon forces to attack key junctions in the UN's informations network in order to provide a cover for reviving their ally in Russia. The Decepticons were able to hide themselves from the Autobots for quite some time. He secretly listened in to Autobot transmissions thanks to his Communications Officer [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]].

Due to the scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)| Bumblebee's]] downloading of a virus in Soundwave's system, Megatron's communications were slightly crippled. This did not stop his plans however. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was able to launch a device to the moon.
Commanding Soundwave to land on Earth, he entrusted him to finding and destroying a former Sector 7 base which had vital information concerning their frozen Russian ally, along with their moon operation. Soundwave (along with his partner Laserbeak) succeeded in destroying the base. He then ordered Starscream to destroy a shipment of MechTech weaponry by the humans, led by [[Stratosphere]]. Starscream destroyed the large Autobot, but not before grabbing a piece of MechTech. When Starscream returned with this weaponry, Megatron chided Starscream, knowing all too well that the Autobots may have planted a beacon in their weapons, and proceded to drain Starscream's spark, but was interrupted by Soundwave announcing they are under attack.

Megatron easily dispatched of the Autobots invading his base, with many of his fellow Decepticon soldiers falling in battle. He later encountered Warpath, though that battle was not much of a stretch. He absorbed chunks of plutonium from the (partly) launching missiles he found, gaining more energy along the way and getting enough power to summon hatchlings from their eggs. He soon was able to scan a new vehicle form, and assumed it to traverse through the tunnels of the silo more efficiently. Soon enough, he encountered Optimus Prime himself, who appeared with a new trailer and a jetpack upgrade. Even with these upgrades, however, he was unable to defeat the Decepticon leader, who thrust him into an icy chamber to freeze. He then jumpstarted the thawing process to revive his Decepticon assassin, [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. Megatron then retreated from the burning base and to somewhere in Nambia, Africa. Regrouping with Soundwave, Starscream, and Shockwave, he ordered his assassin to find a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, and then announced that his plans were far from crippled....and that Operation: Pillar was unstoppable. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name—imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-Man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.
*In the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', it states Megatron possesses an internal self-regenerating dark matter power core which is possibly of alien origin. If this means anything to future media is anyone's guess.
*His weatherbeaten Mack tanker truck mode and Cybertronian sawed-off shotgun as seen in ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' are fairly straightforward nods to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_2 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior].
*Early concepts for his ''Dark of the Moon'' design called him Cyclonus in an attempt to curb leaks and spread misinformation.
*Megatron's story was altered significantly twice during development of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'': the climax of the second film would have revealed Megatron served The Fallen under the pretense of becoming a Prime, which Optimus exposes a lie, explaining Primes are born, not made. An angered Megatron refused to aid The Fallen in his final battle, and returned to the ''Nemesis'' via The Fallen's space bridge to raise an army of hatchlings. In the film he is removed from the battle by having Optimus disfigure him with his own cannon, forcing him to hide as a truck in Africa. Megatron would have survived ''Dark of the Moon'', with Optimus accepting the truce after helping kill Sentinel, with Megatron returning to Cybertron and leaving the possibility open to a fourth film. On screen, Megatron's offer comes across as less than sincere, allowing Optimus to finally tear his head off.
*Although Megatron uses [[Death-lock pincer|Fusion Cannon]] in both previous films, in ''Dark of the Moon'' Megatron's weapon changes to a Fusion Shotgun.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decepticon starships]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie starships]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-08-09T22:04:40Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Dark of the Moon film */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

'''Megatron''' was not always the viciously powerful and brutally direct leader of the Decepticons: he was once brothers-in-arms with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and a student of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]], appointed to be Cybertron's [[Lord High Protector|Protector]] and commander of its [[Defense Force]]. But Megatron resented his comrade, knowing he was a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and therefore Sentinel's favored son. This anger allowed [[The Fallen]] to ensnare him and led to the revival of the Decepticons. Even without The Fallen though, it's not hard to imagine Megatron would have erupted Cybertron into war to rid himself of Optimus.

Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have chased after the [[AllSpark]] alone, and spent centuries entombed in the [[Arctic]]. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Like his master, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards [[human]]s and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the dark age of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the fall of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], Megatron became a follower of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]. Sentinel recovered the [[AllSpark]], and planned to transport a sun to repower it and the rest of Cybertron. The [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacon]]s, who believed Sentinel to be a mad heretic, launched an attack on the AllSpark's facility. Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] fended off the Thetacons when Sentinel and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] successfully transported a star to Cybertron. The Thetacons laid down their arms, but Megatron resented that so many of his comrades had died before Cybertron's new dawn, and it was only by Optimus's persuasion that Megatron found it within himself to forgive his enemies and shake the Thetacon [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s hand. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}

That evening, Megatron eavesdropped on a conversation between Sentinel and Optimus. Sentinel claimed Optimus was also a Prime, and intended to make him the new ruler of Cybertron. Optimus refused, unable to accept he was a Prime and somehow superior to his comrades. The next day, Megatron grumbled to Shockwave that if he were Optimus, he would have accepted Sentinel's offer. They came across a [[Driller]] attacking a [[hatchling]] field trip, and successfully shot the creature to pieces. Megatron asked for the name of the Cybertronian who volunteered the guard the hatchlings: his name was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].

Three days later at the capital city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]], Sentinel Prime officially declared Cybertron's unification, and announced the planet would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]], and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} For two generations, Optimus and Megatron ruled Cybertron successfully, creating a balance of fair and firm leadership. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} When [[Malcontent]] activity increased on Cybertron, Megatron met with Optimus and requested supreme authority in protecting the planet. Optimus obliged. Megatron then requested to be called [[Lord High Protector]] and to be addressed as "sir". {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

After Commander Starscream returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], Optimus was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near [[Simfur Temple]] and the unusual pulse waves that the AllSpark had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in Trypticon. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would truly make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} He ordered the execution of the "false" Primes — though he knew Sentinel and Optimus were Primes, he needed to give his followers a villain. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

As Cybertron is devastated by the worsening war, Sentinel Prime is forced to make a deal with Megatron to seek out another planet whose resources they can exploit to restore their homeworld. The chosen planet is the resting place of the Primes' Star Harvester. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}{{storylink|Dark of the Moon issue 3}}

Ironhide led an attack on Simfur Temple. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Megatron stood at the gate and slaughtered many Autobots as Elita-One and [[Chromia (ROTF)|her]] [[Arcee (Movie)|sisters]] used the AllSpark to activate a "torch" made by Sentinel. Optimus finally appeared to fend off Megatron and ensure Elita-One escaped to give Sentinel the torch. Sentinel boarded the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]] with the torch to retrieve Optimus from Simfur, but to both Optimus and Megatron's horror, Starscream attacked the Ark, destroying it. The Autobots fled, but Megatron correctly deduced Optimus would return with a vengeance. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} From his [[Lord High Protector citadel|citadel]], Megatron watched as Optimus and Ironhide battled their way through his defenses. When Optimus finally entered the tower, he found Megatron covered in hatchlings and daring him to kill them with him, gloating that Optimus would never go far enough. Optimus revealed he didn't: it had all been a distraction as Wheeljack, Chromia and Arcee stole the AllSpark aboard a second [[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]. With the AllSpark removed from Sentinel's device, the sun it held in place disappeared. Optimus escaped, rescuing Ironhide from Starscream and Shockwave while leaving Megatron to free himself of his hungry hatchlings. Megatron swore he would recover the AllSpark, and that if he would have to travel across the entire universe to do so, he would kill every Autobot. {{storylink|Foundation|Foundation #1-4}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his again, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|"I HAVE WALKED INTO THIS!"]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japanese), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Spanish)

{{cleanup|July 2011|Hes a main character}}

[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Got these chains on me And they're draggin' me down Got these chains on me Hear that clankin' sound?'']]

Three years after Operation: Firestorm and the death of the Fallen, Megatron hid out in the plains of Namibia, Africa in exile. There, still visibly bearing the scars of his latest battle with Optimus Prime, he sat on a throne of junk with only [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], and the diminutive [[Igor]] to command. Megatron returned with food for the [[Hatchling]]s that were with him. Some elephants and zebra's came along but Megatron roared and scared them off. Starscream returned after a patrol and expressed his concern for his masters scar's but Megatron was less than concerned with his scars. [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] returned after observing [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]s fight with Optimus and told Megatron that the Autobot's discovered the Ark engine. Megatron then announced that the humans that were working for him had served their purpose and ordered Laserbeak to kill them.

[[Image:DOTM-MegatronLincoln.jpg|left|thumb|250px|]]
After [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream traveled to Washington D.C. (somehow), where Megatron outlined his scheme to his second-in-command. Apparently, Sentinel was supposed to rendezvous with Megatron there on Earth, but the circumstances caused them both to be deactivated, and Sentinel was the only one who knew how to activate the [[space bridge]]. However, Megatron had a contingency plan: since they already had the pillars on the Moon and Optimus had recovered the Matrix of Leadership, he merely needed Optimus to revive Sentinel, so he could activate the pillars. And so arrived that moment, and Megatron blasted President Lincoln off his stone throne, and used the remains as a seat, where he declared "Here we are. Fight us NOW."

Soon, they traveled to Chicago, Illinois, where Sentinel and Megatron planned to start their global takeover. After Megatron stated that this was the world that he promised, that this way Cybertron would be restored, Sentinel, felt his partner was getting too chummy, and violently reminded Megatron of his place. Sentinel did not work for Megatron, Megatron worked with Sentinel. Megatron was shoved off the building into the street below. (even though Megatron stated that ''they'', as in both of them, would work together to rebuild Cybertron, but we can't really blame someone named "Prime" for disliking Megatron...).

Megatron was unable to foresee that Sentinel would betray him as well, who took control of the Decepticon forces stationed there. The Decepticon leader lay in another throne of junk, sulking. That is, until he was goaded by [[Carly Spencer]], a human, to return to battle and kill Sentinel for usurping him. And that is what he came close to doing: he intervened in the battle between Optimus and Sentinel just before the latter was about to deal the fatal blow to the former, and severely wounded Sentinel. 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. Thinking that he was dead, Megatron decided to make a truce with Optimus, as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces saying "Besides, Who would you be without me, Prime?" Optimus declared that they would find out, just as Megatron is about to shoot his shotgun Optimus smashed Megatron's head with an energy axe, and tore it off his body, killing the tyrant once and for all. He then used his nemesis' fusion shotgun to end Sentinel's life once and for all.
{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===Revenge of the Fallen (mobile game)===
As part of the plan to reactivate the "[[Star Harvester|Great Machine]]", [[The Fallen]] resurrected Megatron using an [[AllSpark]] fragment retrieved from [[Shanghai]] by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. Megatron contacted Starscream, calling him back to base, so they could enact the next part of the plan. The Fallen instructed him to take the troops to [[Egypt]] to find the [[Matrix of Leadership]], though Megatron didn't think it was a good idea. In Egypt, he found [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] had defeated [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]], so he took the Autobot and the [[NEST]] personnel present as hostages and took possession of the Matrix. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] arrived, but Megatron pointed out he was no match for the powered-up Decepticon leader. Optimus agreed, and combining [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]'s parts with his own, soundly defeated Megatron. At that point The Fallen arrived, and Megatron was able to escape while Optimus Prime was otherwise occupied. Back at base, Megatron promised that now he was in total command of the Decepticons, the Autobots days were numbered. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]]

Three years after the battle at the pyramids, Megatron had retreated to a Decepticon base in an unknown missle silo, along with some hatchlings which hs stored among the silo's corridors. From there, he commanded Decepticon forces to attack key junctions in the UN's informations network in order to provide a cover for reviving their ally in Russia. The Decepticons were able to hide themselves from the Autobots for quite some time. He secretly listened in to Autobot transmissions thanks to his Communications Officer [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]].

Due to the scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)| Bumblebee's]] downloading of a virus in Soundwave's system, Megatron's communications were slightly crippled. This did not stop his plans however. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was able to launch a device to the moon.
Commanding Soundwave to land on Earth, he entrusted him to finding and destroying a former Sector 7 base which had vital information concerning their frozen Russian ally, along with their moon operation. Soundwave (along with his partner Laserbeak) succeeded in destroying the base. He then ordered Starscream to destroy a shipment of MechTech weaponry by the humans, led by [[Stratosphere]]. Starscream destroyed the large Autobot, but not before grabbing a piece of MechTech. When Starscream returned with this weaponry, Megatron chided Starscream, knowing all too well that the Autobots may have planted a beacon in their weapons, and proceded to drain Starscream's spark, but was interrupted by Soundwave announcing they are under attack.

Megatron easily dispatched of the Autobots invading his base, with many of his fellow Decepticon soldiers falling in battle. He later encountered Warpath, though that battle was not much of a stretch. He absorbed chunks of plutonium from the (partly) launching missiles he found, gaining more energy along the way and getting enough power to summon hatchlings from their eggs. He soon was able to scan a new vehicle form, and assumed it to traverse through the tunnels of the silo more efficiently. Soon enough, he encountered Optimus Prime himself, who appeared with a new trailer and a jetpack upgrade. Even with these upgrades, however, he was unable to defeat the Decepticon leader, who thrust him into an icy chamber to freeze. He then jumpstarted the thawing process to revive his Decepticon assassin, [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. Megatron then retreated from the burning base and to somewhere in Nambia, Africa. Regrouping with Soundwave, Starscream, and Shockwave, he ordered his assassin to find a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, and then announced that his plans were far from crippled....and that Operation: Pillar was unstoppable. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name—imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-Man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.
*In the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', it states Megatron possesses an internal self-regenerating dark matter power core which is possibly of alien origin. If this means anything to future media is anyone's guess.
*His weatherbeaten Mack tanker truck mode and Cybertronian sawed-off shotgun as seen in ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' are fairly straightforward nods to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_2 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior].
*Early concepts for his ''Dark of the Moon'' design called him Cyclonus in an attempt to curb leaks and spread misinformation.
*Megatron's story was altered significantly twice during development of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'': the climax of the second film would have revealed Megatron served The Fallen under the pretense of becoming a Prime, which Optimus exposes a lie, explaining Primes are born, not made. An angered Megatron refused to aid The Fallen in his final battle, and returned to the ''Nemesis'' via The Fallen's space bridge to raise an army of hatchlings. In the film he is removed from the battle by having Optimus disfigure him with his own cannon, forcing him to hide as a truck in Africa. Megatron would have survived ''Dark of the Moon'', with Optimus accepting the truce after helping kill Sentinel, with Megatron returning to Cybertron and leaving the possibility open to a fourth film. On screen, Megatron's offer comes across as less than sincere, allowing Optimus to finally tear his head off.
*Although Megatron uses [[Death-lock pincer|Fusion Cannon]] in both previous films, in ''Dark of the Moon'' Megatron's weapon changes to a Fusion Shotgun.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decepticon starships]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie starships]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-08-06T17:21:43Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/1ef99019addbf7f207595f5da129bfb6-690.php 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 ''[[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|I've seen this one. It's the one where [[Spock]] goes nuts.|Wheelie|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Dotm-Arkreflection.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"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]]. On a mission to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]], a NEST team led by [[William Lennox|Lt. Col. Lennox]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] 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 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.

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.

[[Image:DOTM-Moonspacebridge.jpg|thumb|280px|"We are one big, happy fleet! Ah, 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."]]

Subsequently, 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. Arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime reveals that he had made a deal with Megatron, knowing that the Autobots could never win the war. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and several NEST soldiers, Sentinel Prime 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 Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

[[Image:DOTM-MegatronLincoln.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"I'll give him this: [[Atlantis, Arise!|he's]] [[Transformers The Game (console)|consistent]]!"]]

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 (ROTF)|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 (Movie)|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''.

[[Image:DOTM Driller vs Prime.jpg|right|thumb|280px|"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. 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's "pet", the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using wingsuits, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobots' inventor [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to take prisoners and kill them all. 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. While NEST and the Autobots fight the Decepticons and kill most of them, Optimus Prime topples over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

[[Image:DOTMCybertrontransit.jpg|thumb|left|280px|"Earth was created in six days. Now, watch out! Here comes Genesis! We'll do it for you in six minutes!"]]

A fight between Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime ensues, during which Optimus loses an arm, with Sentinel gaining the upper hand. Carly, who has been freed by Sam in the meantime, stumbles across Megatron, who is still suffering from the wounds Optimus Prime had inflicted upon him during their [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|battle in Egypt]], 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 Prime is alive. Infuriated, he intervenes in the battle and turns on Sentinel, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule, and severely damages him. 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. 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. Megatron offers Optimus Prime a truce as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces, but Optimus ignores his plea and just as Megatron is about to shoot his shotgun Optimus splits Megatron's head with an axe. Subsequently, he uses Megatron's shotgun cannon to kill a weakened Sentinel Prime, who is trying to excuse his actions.

Believing their home planet to be destroyed for good, the remaining Autobots accept Earth as their new home.

Seymour Simmons uses the opportunity to kiss Charlotte Mearing, for whom he still has feelings. Mearing responds by having him arrested.

==Quotes==
'''Mearing''': "What is this, the silent treatment?" 
'''Ironhide''': "No, I've seen that. This is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''."
:—NEST discusses Optimus Prime's foul mood.

"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.

"Here we are. Fight us ''now''."
:—'''Megatron''', pulling the evil overlord cliche on us while sitting atop the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]

"The Decepticons have my trailer. I ''need'' that flight tech!" 
:—'''Optimus Prime''', [[To sell toys|selling toys]].

"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]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[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]])
*[[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]])
*[[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/>

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

|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]]

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

==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/dark 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.
* 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, Prypiat'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://www.flickr.com/photos/nubber/544337347/ Photo of the Prypiat 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 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.
* In a 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.
* Despite being stuck in the Ark for years and not yet having scanned a vehicle mode Sentinel Prime has [[kibble]] from his Rosenbauer fire truck alternate mode when he is first seen.
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his license plate from the [[Transformers (2007)|first movie]], "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, but doesn't have a license plate in vehicle mode.
* Speaking of inconsistency 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.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (subgroup)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force.
* 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 before arriving in Chicago, and has yet another outfit the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' it's said that nine of them are leaving. 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.
* Throughout the sequence of Barricade kicking and shoving Que along before executing him, he is speaking with Soundwave's voice.

==Transformers references==

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

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

* 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 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 [[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 well-regarded 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 popular Generation 1 cartoon multi-part episode, "[[Megatron's Master Plan]]."

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

==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{{m-}}who voices Sentinel Prime. They comment that it is "the one where Spock goes nuts," which foreshadows Sentinel's heel turn.

* 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 may be 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]].

==Other editions==

==Prequel material==

==Adaptations==

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

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

==Home video releases==

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image: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 movie 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 (so far).<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. Currently it is 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.)

==Production staff==
===Visual effects===
===Locations department===

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (2007)|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 ''[[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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/0fd64fd57c9b9b6d33e15c76a46dae48-565.php 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/blog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php 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)|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and is married to Michael Bay's cousin Susan, had previously been under consideration for [[The Fallen]]'s voice in ''[[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>

===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 were [[Chicago]], 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"/>

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://articlles.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> 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://movies.ign.com/articles/118/1180411p1.html "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 serve as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a police car. Nobody was seriously injured this time.<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>

''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 US 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 ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]]) and a Mercedes-Benz E550 ([[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]). Both robots sport names in the movie 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]].

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]], [[Wikipedia:CNN|CNN]], [[Wikipedia: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 [[Wikipedia:Nokia|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).

*In January 2010, 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 [[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 [[Wreckers]], 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.

* 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 [[Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and the [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|comic adaptation]].

* 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 [[Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon''. 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 brief shot). 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]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "Colossus" for the [[Driller]]<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref>, "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[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".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]

* 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"/>

* 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's official Transformers website identifies the dog as "[[Steeljaw (DOTM)|Steeljaw]]".<ref name="vectorsigma">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] Hasbro.com.</ref>

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at 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.
{{-}}

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[Image:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|300px|right|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 [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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>

[[Image:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|300px|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 [[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 ''[[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 [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered on [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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=mIuqiepu4UY 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 (2007)|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's ship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', had made an appearance in ''[[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.
** 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. Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. (To be fair, he dropped his cannons during the final battle in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has an ordinary handheld shotgun. (then again his arm that turned into his Fusion cannon was ripped off by Prime in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) The only ones who still seem to have the same converting arm cannons as in the previous movies are Bumblebee and Ratchet.

* [[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/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido Mūn'')
*''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'''''
*''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'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''變形金剛3：黑月降臨'''''

==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]

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

Blackout (Movie)

2011-08-06T10:12:47Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Merchandise */

{{factions|decepticonfilm}}
{{disambig3|Blackout}}
{{disambig2|the Decepticon helicopter from the first live-action movie|the Decepticon helicopter from Revenge of the Fallen|Grindor (ROTF)}}
:''Blackout is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is also known as N.B.E. 23.''

[[Image:MovieBlackoutHeatScrambleCard57.jpg|right|300px|thumb|He would appreciate you not trying to shoot him in the crotch. Really he would.]]

The massive '''Blackout''' has been described as the "hound" of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. In better days he was always to be found looming powerful and silent behind his leader's right shoulder. When given a target he hunts it down with fierce determination. Blackout is not happy with the progress [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] is making towards finding the missing Decepticon leader. He suspects (quite rightly) that Starscream would prefer Megatron to stay lost. Blackout is openly mutinous and will challenge Starscream's leadership at any opportunity, not for his own sake, but to better serve his ultimate goal of finding his lost master. Blackout has a sneaky side and uses his symbiotic companion [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s small size to great advantage.

{{quote|All hail Megatron!|Blackout|''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]''}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defiance2_Blackout_spacebattle.jpg|thumb|left|300px|In space, EVERYONE hears HIM!]]

In the distant past, Blackout was a member of the Cybertronian [[Defense Force]]. During an attack by unknown aliens on the city of [[Metrotitan (ROTF)|Metrotitan]], he could be seen picking up a wrecked enemy tank. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1}} In the aftermath of the attack, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] consulted with [[The Fallen|the mysterious relic]] dug up near [[Simfur]] and (essentially) declared a military dictatorship over Cybertron. Blackout followed Megatron and the other flight-capable soldiers into battle, using his special powers to disrupt the enemy flagship's targeting array. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2}}

After science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] survived an attempted kidnapping by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s squadron, Megatron declared the scientist and his followers traitors, and reformed the army under a new banner: the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3}}

[[Image:Movie BlackoutStarscream protoforms.jpg|right|200px|thumb|An ominous rumble is Blackout's only response...]]

During the subsequent civil war, Blackout fought alongside Megatron, until his master ordered 'this loyal hound' to assist Starscream's unit in keeping [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s forces busy, while Megatron pursued his destiny. Arriving soon after [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] delivered news of Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream witnessed the successful Autobot launch of the AllSpark. Blackout restrained Starscream from going after it, the pair nearly coming to blows when Blackout launched Scorponok from his chest. Fortunately, Starscream calmed down, and after witnessing Megatron leave the planet himself, the group took on protoform transition forms and followed. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

Meanwhile, Starscream crew ''also'' went after Optimus Prime's starship in a Decepticon battlecruiser. Just before launch, Blackout listened to Barricade's not-so-quiet concerns that Starscream wasn't telling them everything. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, they were led into a trap by the Autobots, and their ship (and Starscream's advance scout [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]]) was crippled by concussion chain mines. Blackout gave a detailed damage report when ordered but was berated for giving his observation on what had occurred, and was ordered to despatch Scorponok to retrieve Dreadwing.

[[Image:Movie Blackout TargetPrequel continuityheadache.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Beware, Qatar! Beware! Muhahahahahaha!]]

After making repairs to their ship, the Decepticons followed the AllSpark's trace energy and landed on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}} There, they destroyed a primitive [[Beagle 2 Rover|human rover scout]] and decided to investigate the nearby third planet of this solar system. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}}

Making planetfall on Earth in Afghanistan, Blackout attracted the attention of a military vehicle of the local creatures. Witnessing the ease with which [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] destroyed the carrier, Starscream pondered that Megatron would have been able to subjugate these beings if he was able to. Blackout replied that they needed to find out why he hadn't yet. Starscream's unit then attacked the nearby air base where Blackout scanned and adopted the form of an MH-53J 'Pave Low' helicopter, then easily hacked into the files of the human computers. Inside, he found files on something called 'Project: Iceman', which he suspected was related to Megatron. After the base's destruction, Blackout headed towards [[Qatar]], intent on attacking a similar military base there to access the information they needed. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

{{note|In several instances Planetfall contradicts both [[Movie Prequel issue 4|issue #4]] of IDW's ''[[Movie Prequel]]'' mini-series as well as the movie ''itself'' with regards to where & when the Decepticons arrived on Earth; they landed in the United States during 2003 in the Prequel mini. In this story, Blackout immediately leaves for Qatar after the attack (2007), whereas in the Movie itself, he assumed the form three months before attacking the SOCCENT base. However, this sequence was subsequently used in [[The Reign of Starscream]].}}

[[Image:Movie Blackout IDWprequel camoflageenabled.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Apparently the crew of military helicopters don't count as "witnesses".]]

Meanwhile, the unit ''also'' arrived on [[Earth]] in the [[United States of America]] in the year 2003. Blackout scanned a USAF [[wikipedia:MH-53_Pave_Low|MH-53 Pave Low]] helicopter, but apparently was not detected by the humans, nor caused any casualties, in contrast to his two comrades. When Starscream told the Decepticons that their mission was to find the AllSpark, Blackout reminded Starscream that they must also find Megatron.

Later, after being lured into a trap intended for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] set by a group of impressively equipped humans, Blackout attacked the organisation's bunker and attempted to hack into their main server, but failed after they disconnected their local systems. The only lead he got was a name...[[Sector Seven]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Movie Prequel #4}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Brian Stepanek]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Blackout preferred to sow confusion and disarray before he attacked, rather than engage in direct confrontation and risk being killed. He would only go into ground battles under cover of loud noise and pyrotechnics (which he himself caused with his devastating sonic shriek emitters). Unfortunately for him, this meant he kept getting stuck leading the ''first wave'' of attacks! To protect himself, he used an army of drone troopers (presumably [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponoks]]) to draw enemy fire. These drones were called "the swarm" and Blackout deliberately encouraged rumours about them so their arrival would strike fear into the hearts of enemies. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4|Blackout Profile}} Despite being a coward at heart, he began to ''revel'' in the chaos and carnage he was causing, even if the odd Decepticon ended up as collatoral damage! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2|Jazz V. Blackout}}

{{Note|The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines continuity.}}

Half an hour after his death and before his body was dumped in the sea, Blackout was briefly turned into a rampaging zombie by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

{{notetitantlg}}

Blackout was not dead!

He assaulted an Autobot convoy at Shreveport, [[Louisiana]] as part of a general terror campaign. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} Later, he was a key part in a Decepticon ambush, appearing from nowhere to blankside Autobot ground troops. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

He was one of the [[Decepticon Heartland]] generals, and had to report the grim news to Starscream of just how badly [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] had gummed up their advance. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part Two}} By the time the battle reached him in Philadelphia, he was commanding the only Decepticon force left standing. He rejected an offer to defect to Stockade's team, defiantly saying this planet was ''theirs'', and sicced Scorponok on him.

Scorponok failed and Blackout went down. Now he ''is'' dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
Blackout had spent thousands of years searching for Megatron and the AllSpark under Starscream aboard the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]''. While Starscream was hoping not to find Megatron, Blackout was working against him in hopes of restoring the former leader. Upon discovering [[Ghost 1|a vessel similar to Megatron's alternate mode]], Blackout became convinced that Megatron was nearby. However, the Autobots arrived in the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]'' to investigate the ship, and Starscream ordered the Decepticons to wait while he investigated the alien ship. Growing impatient, Blackout convinced [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] to join him in an attack on the Autobots. Blackout, Scorponok, and Frenzy ganged up on [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], but he managed to defeat them, forcing Blackout to call for a retreat. After Prime headed to investigate [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s disappearance, Starscream ordered them to attack, and Bonecrusher was given command. Blackout, however, was able to sneak Scorponok on board the ''Ark''.

After Starscream returned, Blackout demanded answers. Starscream claimed that Prime and Bumblebee were killed by indigenous worms, while the alien ship was destroyed when it fell into a cavern. Blackout, unconvinced, challenged Starscream, but was seriously damaged, and had to be taken back to the ''Nemesis''. However, Prime, Bumblebee, and the ship appeared soon after. When Starscream ordered the Decepticons to destroy the ship, Blackout demanded answers, which Bonecrusher and Barricade agreed to. However, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] was able to force Scorponok off the ''Ark'', and Blackout, still healing, sped to his rescue. What a pal. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007) film===
[[Image:Movie Blackout Raptors.jpg|right|201px|thumb|This race sucks.]]
Blackout flew into the airspace of [[United States military|US]] [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] in [[Qatar]] and refused to identify himself, prompting base commander [[Colonel Sharp]] to dispatch two [[wikipedia:F-22_Raptor|F-22 Raptors]] to escort the Decepticon into their base. One of the Raptors reported that Blackout had the registry number of 4500X on his vertical stabilizer, the number of the helicopter Blackout had scanned and destroyed three months earlier in Afghanistan.

[[Image:Movie Blackout SOCCENTAttack1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|All your base are belong to us.]]
Once landed, Blackout was surrounded by the soldiers stationed at the base and ordered to power down and disembark his crew, or deadly force would be used. Seeing no reason to hide himself any further, Blackout transformed under a hail of automatic weapons fire from the shocked humans. Activating his heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, Blackout made quick work of the soldiers closest to him, then unleashed a massive shock wave that killed the rest of the troops and shattered their vehicles and the windows of the operations control tower. Blackout made his way around the base, tossing tanks aside, crushing soldiers underfoot and blowing up aircraft. Eventually, he reached the operations bunker and tore off the roof to link up with their server and download its files in an attempt to find information on [[Megatron (Movie)|Project: Ice Man]]. Unfortunately, the base commander intervened, cutting the physical hard line of the server, severing Blackout's connection and thwarting the primary objective of his mission.

[[Image:Movie Blackout holoavatar.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Watch me twirl my [[Moustache Man|moustache]] as I contemplate the destruction of Earth.]]
Still, Blackout carried out his second objective—the destruction of the human base. As he proceeded, [[Robert Epps|a human soldier]] was nearly crushed. Instinctively, the soldier recorded images of Blackout, the Decepticon indulging this brief moment of curiosity by looking straight back at the human. Blackout then activated a chest-mounted laser cannon to put the fleshling out of its misery, but before he could do so, he was struck by a grenade fired by [[Jorge Figueroa|another soldier]], and the human made his escape. Enraged, Blackout fired flare countermeasures into the sky to confuse any other attempts to attack him, then ejected Scorponok from his back and sent his minion to track the [[William Lennox|fleeing]] [[Patrick Donnelly|soldiers]]. Blackout then turned his attention and his weapons back to the rest of the base, eventually destroying it, leaving no survivors.

Evidently, after the attack, Blackout flew back to the [[United States of America|United States]], as he was in the vicinity when [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] reported the discovery of AllSpark's location and Starscream ordered their forces to mobilize. Blackout was the last to acknowledge the order, then rallied in Megatron's name, perhaps to remind Starscream who his master was.

[[Image:Blackout is going to kill you.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Point that thing someplace else!]]
Blackout arrived at [[Mission City]] just as the final battle was getting underway. Megatron's order of "Decepticons attack" must have been music to his ears, and he followed his master's commands whole heartedly. He attempted to block [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]]'s path as the boy was trying to get away with the AllSpark, before he was attacked by [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. The Autobot threw a car at Blackout, who fired his laser cannon to destroy the vehicle and knock Ironhide over. He flew ahead of ladiesman217, attempting to use his rotor weapon to kill him, but the human managed to dodge this attack.

[[Image:Blackout movie dead.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Oh, God, I hope that stuff leaking out is Energon.]]
Blackout withdrew from the battle for a few moments, but returned as [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron fought. Seeing his master under attack, Blackout came to the defense of his lord by activating his hand-held rotor weapon, but soldiers—including survivors of the SOCCENT base attack—attempted to stop him by painting him with targeting lasers for friendly F-22 Raptors to fire upon. As Blackout activated his cannon, he noticed the lasers targeted on him. Underestimating the fighting spirit and desire for vengeance of the humans, Blackout tried to finish them off until Captain Lennox, using an abandoned motorcycle, charged at him and fired a sabot round into his crotch (ouch), as F-22s pounded the Decepticon with missiles, extinguishing his [[spark]].

His remains were dumped in the <s>deepest</s> ''second'' deepest part of the ocean—the Laurentian Abyss—along with his fellow dead Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}

{{note|The possible period of time that Blackout acquired his vehicle mode in the movie appears to contradict the origin of his vehicle mode in both [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s [[Movie Prequel]] and the second Target-sponsored prequel comic. See [[#Notes|Notes]] section below.}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===

At some point, Blackout and multiple Autobots and Decepticons traversed dimensions and found themselves on a different [[Earth]], in the distant past. They crossed paths with new Transformer factions, the [[Maximal]]s and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, who were engaged in a conflict called the [[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]. A battle broke out between the four factions. The Autobots and the Decepticons eventually returned to their home dimension, leaving the Maximals and Predacons behind to settle the Beast Wars. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story}}

===Transformers (2007) toy bios===
Blackout is extremely disciplined, and as such keeps his bodywork pristine. {{storylink|#PremiumSeries|Premium Series Blackout}} He is incredibly single-minded in pursuing his quarry. {{storylink|#Titanium Series|Titanium Series Blackout}} He and [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] have fought alongside each other for untold years, leaving nothing but devastated worlds in their wake as they searched for the AllSpark. {{storylink|#Unleashed|Unleashed}}

At some point, he had a knock-down, drag-out fight with Ironhide, possibly in a desert. {{storylink|#Legends Class toys|Ironhide Vs Desert Blackout}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Blackout's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organization brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they could out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1|Alliance #1}}

==='''Revenge of the Fallen''' toy bios===
Ratchet and Blackout are apparently total opposites. {{storylink|#Titanium Series 2|Rescue Ratchet Vs. Blackout}} He may have once gotten into a fight where Optimus Prime deployed twin forearm swords. {{storylink|#Robot Heroes 2|Optimus Prime and Blackout}}

==Games==

===''Transformers'' The Game (console)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Noah Nelson]]

====Autobot campaign====
During the battle of Mission City, Blackout suffered a humiliating defeat from [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], even though he had help from [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and two [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwings]]. That's got be the most humiliating thing for any of the characters in the videogame, losing to somebody a third of his size. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
[[Image:VGBlackoutE1M3Intro.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
Blackout and Scorponok were sent to the SOCCENT Base to destroy the human military installation there and download information from the military servers on the location of the [[AllSpark]]. The pair were successful, though Blackout's escape was briefly interrupted by the arrival of a squad of human jet fighters. After blasting them to tiny bits, he made good his escape.

Blackout arrived at [[Hoover Dam]], where his scans failed to detect the energy signatures of Megatron or the AllSpark. Starscream ordered him to break the dam piece by piece. Blackout fired a pair of missiles and fought off a squad of [[Swindle (Movie)|Autobot sports car drones]] that were defending the installation. As Megatron emerged, he bowed before his lord. He then followed the newly-revived Megatron to [[Mission City]], where he engaged in a final showdown with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], who had just punted Scorponok. The Autobot warhorse certainly gave the massive Decepticon a run for his money. The huge number of Autobot drones backing Ironhide up didn't make things any easier.

During Megatron's battle with Optimus Prime, Blackout attempted to assist his master by charging Prime. Prime punched the massive Decepticon, sending him flying. How embarrassing. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
As Jazz retrieved Sector 7 vehicles for Optimus Prime, he happened upon their helicopter, which to his surprise turned out to be Blackout. The two battled at Tranqulity's power plant, where Jazz managed to defeat him. Humiliated, he transformed and flew away.

Blackout made his presence felt again as Bumblebee raced back to Tranquility carrying the AllSpark with him. He chased Bumblebee through the streets until he was intercepted on a rooftop by Ratchet, who put an end to his menace for good. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
First arriving under the command of [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|a low-ranking soldier]], Blackout was sent out to destroy the communications arrays in the Qatar SOCCENT military base. Once completed, he returns for more orders.

Soon after, Blackout encounters [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], who appears at the base to stop you from blowing the [[Pit|hell]] out of everything. Once defeated, Blackout disappears until the other Decepticons arrive at Hoover Dam.

Dropping off some bombs for Brawl to set, the Decepticons attempt to blow up the Dam to simultaneously release Megatron and thaw him out, but are thwarted by Jazz and his drone clones. Their heroic attempts are for naught, as Megatron escapes anyway, while Blackout and Barricade retrieve his weapon chip. Once in hand, they meet before their leader and reactivate his weapons. After a charismatic speech, they set out to Tranquility to capture the AllSpark and defeat the Autobots once and for all.

Blackout arrives just in time to be blasted to [[Slag (slang)|slag]] by an AllSpark powered Starscream with a single blast. That's still slightly less embarrassing than being beaten by a half-dead Jazz. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Blackout Legends toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I have no fingers? You did this, Starscream!]]
*'''Blackout''' (Legends, 2007)

:A much smaller and highly simplified version of the character, Legends Blackout features limited articulation and detail, with the helicopter mode not being a particularly faithful recreation of an [[wikipedia:MH-53_Pave_Low|Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low]] heavy-lift helicopter (the placement of the fuel tanks, in particular making him look more like a [[Wikipedia:CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53 Sea Stallion]]). Even though the robot mode sports an attempt to emulate the movie character's chest design, this does not involve the use of obvious fake elements of the helicopter mode's cockpit, unlike [[Jazz (Movie)|other]] Legends Class toys of movie characters. Curiously, the instructions on the back of the card show how to transform him from his alt-mode to his robot mode, which is the reverse of the rest of the Legends Class packaging.

:This toy was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] and [[Spinister (ROTF)|Spinister]].
{{-}}
{{anchor|Allspark2pack}}
[[Image:Movie Legends Ironhide DesertBlackout.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hey, look! It's Grindor! Stop! That is so dumb! Do something else!]]
*'''Ironhide vs. Desert Blackout''' (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2007)

: Desert Blackout is a tan redeco of the previously released Legends Blackout toy. He comes with an all-new Legends Class Ironhide. Oddly, he doesn't have a faction symbol anywhere on his body.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/LegendsBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Desert Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Voyager Blackout toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The largest Transformer in the film. Ironically, one of the smallest Voyager-class toys ''ever''.]]
*'''Blackout''' (Voyager Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''MD-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: Blackout transforms into a reasonably accurate MH-53 Pave Low, though he has a rather [[Show-accuracy|film-inaccurate]] slate grey base colour and a totally random gold radome. An aft "cage" compartment can be opened to release a small PVC figurine of his partner, [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]. A button on the very end of his tail can be pressed in a geared action to rotate his rotor blades. By attaching the Deluxe-class Scorponok to his underside, the rotor [[gimmick]] also spins Scorponok's claws.

: During transformation, Blackout's (mind-numbingly delicate) [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] gimmick is activated when the user swings down his legs, which in turn flips the gray chest section his head is mounted upon up and into position, and lifts his back assembly and locks into into place behind his head. Another, less impressive automorph is in his legs—if you pull his knees down, his shin armor pops out a bit.

: In robot mode, Blackout appears closer to his original concept art, back when he was called "Incinerator" (seemingly also the basis for his Nintendo DS appearance). The entire rotor assembly on his back can be removed and converted into a gigantic fan weapon, to ''vaguely'' represent the hand-held rotor-blade weapon he wields in the film, also seen on [[#Titanium_Series|the ''Titanium'' figurine (see below)]]. Because of the size of his rotor assembly, Blackout is also much shorter than most Voyager-class figures despite his bulk, barely taller than a Deluxe figure.

: It is ''very'' easy for the gears in the cockpit/chest to become misaligned during transformation, enough so that the chest/head section refuses to align with the cockpit halves. Getting the gears back into alignment is a veritable nightmare, as so many other parts shift and move as you attempt to manipulate the respective pieces. Swinging the legs down locks the back assembly into place for robot mode, but simply swinging the legs back does ''not'' ''un''lock it, with the user being required to actively separate the parts by hand. Failing to do so is sure to misalign your Blackout to bejeezus.

: An interesting side note is that the two hard points located on Blackout's shoulders, intended to support his abominably large weapon, are actually the same size as the [[Mini-Con]] [[Powerlinx]] plugs on most [[Unicron Trilogy]] figures.

: This mold was [[Retool|retooled]] and [[Redeco|redecoed]] into [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]] for the ''AllSpark Power'' refresh of the movie toyline, and was then redecoed into [[Whirl (ROTF)|Whirl]] for ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. This retool gave them a new head and replaced the tiny Scorponok figure with a lifeboat/gun, as well as giving them the new hands to allow them to hold it. The original Blackout mold was redecoed into [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] for the same line.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Blackout/blackout.htm More information on Voyager Blackout at TFU.info]''

[[Image:Movie DecepticonDesertAttack 2pack.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Ignoring the vast difference in scale between Scorponok's two figures while linked to Blackout takes some imagination.]]
*'''Decepticon Desert Attack''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive two-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: This package, based on their first appearance in the film, features an unchanged Voyager Blackout packaged with an unchanged Deluxe Scorponok, which was exclusively available at Toys "R" Us stores. Since Voyager Blackout was gang-molded with the miniature Scorponok figure the single release came with, this means that the set contains two Scorponok toys in different sizes.
{{-}}

[[Image:MovieVoyager_Blackout4500X.JPG|thumb|right|300px|]]
*'''Blackout Ver. 4500X''' (Lawson exclusive Voyager Class, Japan 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure, Autobot and Decepticon pins

: This Voyager class Blackout repaint is exclusive to the Lawson Japan convenience store chain, with the purchase of the movie DVD. He is redecoed in a somewhat more realistic color scheme for vehicle mode, 4500X markings and a drastically changed plastic color scheme in robot mode (many parts once black are now silver or the same colour as his helicopter hull). Additionally, the mini-Scorponok figurine has been repainted in metallic colours and detailed to resemble the deluxe-class toy (and the movie CG design, of course).

:Also included a set of two brass Autobot and Decepticon insignia pins.
{{-}}

{{anchor|Premium}}
[[Image:Movie Blackout PremiumVoyager toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|NOW the size is perfect.]]
*'''Blackout''' ("Premium Series" Voyager Class, USA 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: This redeco of the Voyager Class Blackout toy is based on the same plastic color layout and paint mask as the Japanese Lawson exclusive "Version 4500X" redeco of Voyager Blackout, down to the improved paint on the Scorponok mini-figure. As a matter of fact, both toys were almost ''identical'', the main difference being that the paint used on Version 4500X's is more matte than the paint used on the Premium Series release.

: Unlike some of the early "Premium Series" toys, Blackout was available as a mass market release.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Blackout/blackout.htm More information on Premium Series Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Movie FAB Blackout.jpg|right|300px|thumb|... Brownout?]]
*'''Gyro Blade Blackout''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:A simplified version of Blackout, designed for smaller children. His rotor blade can be detached and inserted into his left hand to represent the hand-held rotor blade seen in the film, just like the Voyager class version. He also features a chest cannon which can be flipped up from his back. Oddly, you can only see one-fourth of Blackout's head from a 90-degree angle. Even less of it is visible when his chest cannon is flipped up. He features a firing missile.

:This toy was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]].
{{-}}

===Dark of the Moon===
====Cyberverse====
[[Image:Blackout DOTM Cyberverse.jpg|thumb|300px|At long last, not grossly undersized compared to his teammates.]]
*'''Blackout''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
**''Series:'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''005'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''CV15'''
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok

:Blackout is a [[Cyberverse]] Commander-class figure, featuring a surprisingly complex transformation into yet another Sikorsky Pave Low. Curiously, despite the development of this toy after two live-action movies, his robot mode appears to have the same preproduction feet as the larger and earlier toys. Since his left arm ends up having the Pave Low's tail rotor, Blackout is able to use it as a weapon if one chooses and hold either Scorponok or any [[C joint]] accesory.

:He is mistransformed in the package to better fit inside it, thus he appears that way in official photos.

:Blackout includes his symbiotic partner Scorponok, who has some minor tail articulation and transforms into a handheld blaster weapon for Blackout (or any other Cyberverse figure with the appropriate hands). Scorponok can also be carried along on the underside of Blackout's vehicle-mode tail. Though unmentioned in the instructions, Scorponok can also peg into the (otherwise pointless) peg on the back of Blackout's robot mode, just under his rotor blades, mimicking the way he was stored and ejected off of Blackout in the movie. This is prooooobably intentional.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Lunchables====
{{picsneeded}}
* '''Blackout''' ("Pocket Transformers" toy prize, 2007)

: What could only be called a "pseudo-figure" (and that's still being pretty generous), Blackout "transforms" from a flat, blueish-gray structure emblazoned with the Decepticon symbol and the word "Transformers" to a robot by folding out. Blackout is represented by stickers decorated with artwork of the character on the top, bottom, and two fold out "arms". His name is also spelled out, across his feet in this mode.

: This mold was also used to creatre the lunchables figure for [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. A similar mold was used to creature the Lunchables figure for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], though with the Autobot symbol sculpted in instead of the Decepticon one. Each itiration of this mold was made with a different color of plastic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/LunchBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Lunchables Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

====3D Battle-Card Game====
[[Image:3DBattleCard_Blackout.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
* '''Blackout''' (3D Battle Card, 2007)

: A 29-point "uncommon" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]], Blackout "transforms" into a black helicopter. He uses the same parts layout as [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]], [[Vortex (Energon Wars)|Vortex]] and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]].
{{-}}

====Titanium Series====
[[Image:Movie TitaniumRM Blackout.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Scorponok! I can't move! Quick, drag me away!]]
*'''Blackout''' (3" Robot Masters, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Decepticon display stand

: This three-inch figurine, as with all Titaniums, is partially made of die-cast metal and plastic, sculpted holding his rotor-blades as a hand weapon. Interestingly, Blackout has a more unique sculpt to him; the weapon is sculpted as it was briefly seen in the movie, but on the wrong hand. Blackout ''himself'' has an altered leg & foot design as well as having the main rotor-blades on his back excluded, matching it up more with the fact that instead of using his tail rotor, he uses his ''main'' rotor as a multi-purpose melee weapon, echoing the game render. His articulation is limited to his shoulders, head and waist, and he comes packaged with a movie-style Decepticon symbol display base.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TitBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Titanium Series Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

{{anchor|Unleashed}}
====Unleashed====
[[Image:Movie UnleashedTurnarounds BlackoutBarricade.jpg|right|150px|thumb|After camping out in the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma, the two vowed to never go spelunking again.....]]
*'''Blackout and Barricade''' (2008)

: The Blackout and Barricade turnaround is a 3D sculpture of the two characters in both robot mode emerging from rubble and explosions, with a movie-accurate sculpt (compared to the various transforming toys.) The 'turnaround' aspect of these sculptures simply means one can turn the piece around to display a raised-relief of the movie-style Decepticon sigil instead.

: This product's release was cancelled for the US market, but was released in Australia and in Asia.
{{-}}
====Radio Shack====
[[Image:Movie_Radioshack_RC_Blackout.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Blackout''' (2007)

: A remote control helicopter sold at Radio Shack, this little heli operates on 2-channels, features blades with a diameter of just under 5.5 inches and an LED light mounted on the front fuselage. The design of the helicopter is rather inaccurate to an MH-53 Pave Low, and is coloured black for some reason.

{{-}}

====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[Image:Movie Blackout screencleaner.jpg|right|150px|thumb|]]
*'''Blackout''' (2008)

:Released by [[Tomy Yujin]] on January 2008,<ref name="TomyYujin">[http://www.gachausa.com/products/transformers.asp Tomy Yujin ''Transformers'' page]</ref> this Dangler is a faction logo-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Blackout printed on the other side.
{{-}}

====Robot Heroes====
[[Image:RH Prime vs Blackout.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Blackout's hobbies include worshipping Megatron, and jumping out of bushes and yelling "BOOGA-BOOGA!" at small children.]]
*'''Optimus Prime vs. Blackout''' (2007)

: Packaged with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], Blackout is a cute style rendition of the character. Most notably, his face has been given a more traditional Transformer style mouth and nose, making him appear more like a grumpy old man. His articulation is the standard three points, however, the kibble in his design limits the movement. This mold was later redecoed into "Battle Damage" Blackout.

::'''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/RHBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Robot Heroes Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
[[Image:Robotheroesfinalbattle.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Keeps 'em where I can sees 'em!]]
*'''The Final Battle''' (2008)

: Packaged with Autobot Jazz, Autobot Ratchet, Megatron, and Optimus Prime. "Battle Damage" Blackout is a slightly redecoed version of the two pack version. No molding has changed, and the articulation is still limited. His exclusive deco is a black paint wash over various parts of his body to evoke battle damage. Oddly, the undersides of his arms get this deco but not the top, meaning the toy is meant to only be posed with arms raised. The Final Battle 5-pack was sold exclusively in [[Walmart]] stores.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/RHWMBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Final Battle Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

====Burger King====
[[Image:MovieMerchandise-BurgerKingBlackout.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Blackout''' (2007)

:This [[Burger King]] toy is a small plastic replica of Blackout's Pave Low vehicle form, with two special features:
:*Holding his cockpit window up to a light source and peering through a small lens behind his front landing wheel will reveal an image of his CGI-rendered robot mode.
:*His wheels are linked to his rotor drive shaft — spinning them will cause his rotors to spin rapidly, possibly flying off and disappearing under the nearest piece of furniture, where the cat will eventually find them and chew them to pieces.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/BKBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Burger King Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Robot Heroes====
[[Image:Robotheroesoptimusblackout.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"Sure you aren't [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] or somethin'?" "Nope."]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Blackout''' (2009)

:Just like his first ''Robot Heroes'' set, Blackout comes with Optimus Prime. While Blackout is a [[Redeco|redeco]] of the previous mold, Optimus Prime is an all-new sculpt with two swords. With his blue and tan, Blackout kinda looks like [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/RHBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Robot Heroes Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

====Titanium Series====
{{picsneeded}}
*'''Rescue Ratchet vs. Blackout''' (3-inch Robot Masters multi-pack, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Movie Decepticon sigil display stand

:This [[Toys"R"Us]]-exclusive set features an unchanged version of 2007's ''Titanium Series'' Blackout and a [[redeco]]ed [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]].
{{-}}

====Figure Collection====
[[Image:ROTF-Merchandise Figure Collection Blackout.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Just pretend I'm Grindor if it makes you happy.]]
*'''Blackout''' (2010)
**''Accessories:'' Stand

:The [[Figure Collection]] edition of Blackout is based on his [[#Fast_Action_Battlers|Fast Action Battlers toy]], making him extremely off-model from his movie look. He is cast leaning back and has a chunk of kibble protruding from his back to stop him toppling forwards, however he's still very top heavy.

{{-}}

====Missile Mania Board Game====
*'''Blackout'''
: Blackout is one of eight characters featured in the [[Missile Mania]] board game, represented by a small standee adorned with artwork of the character.
{{-}}

====McDonald's====
{{picsneeded}}
*'''Blackout''' (Happy Meal, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' rotor

[[Image:Revenge of the Fallen McDonalds Blackout.png|right|thumb|200px|]]
:Part of the 2010 [[McDonald's]] Revenge of the Fallen promotion, Blackout does not transform but features a spinning/firing rotor mechanism instead. The rotor can be placed on his back, or mounted on his arm to be fired. Blackout does not feature any [[light-piping]], but does have three points articulation. He was only available during week 6 of the promotion, and came with an instruction sheet that doubles as an ad for [[McWorld]], featuring an exclusive code for the website.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:EarlyMovieBlackout.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Blackoutwave lives in constant fear of [http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=dactyl-nightmare&page=detail&id=12493 pterodactyls].]]
* Blackout was originally conceived as [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], hence his symbiotic relationship with Scorponok, who was originally conceived as [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]]. Though this obviously changed, his portrayal in the ''Ghosts of Yesterday'' novel is rather Soundwave-esque. Likewise, in the IDW prequel comic, Blackout is the only Decepticon to land on Earth and acquire his alternate mode without ''any'' witnesses, whereas Starscream and Barricade had to kill existing witnesses. In the film ''itself'', Blackout's only speaking role has him quickly reporting to Starscream's call... in Cybertronian, with he alone both hailing Megatron upon the AllSpark's discovery and attempting to aid him in battle against Prime. What's more, all this "Soundwave-ness" is further enhanced by Hasbro's official bio, calling Blackout "his leader's hound".

* Blackout wins the award for being the Transformers character from the 2007 movie that has gone through the most number of working names: Aside from "Soundwave", he was also supposed to be named "Grimlock",<ref name="early">Details from an early script draft [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2213120&postcount=297 summed up here], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2214148&postcount=303 confirmed as authentic by Roberto Orci here].</ref> "Vortex",<ref>[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1120447#post1120447 Unformatted script sample from first draft naming the Decepticon helicopter "Vortex" posted by Roberto Orci on Don Murphy's message board]</ref> "Devastator",<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/SITEv2/HTML/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_32.html "Devastator" concept art at Ben Procter Online Portfolio]</ref> and "Incinerator"<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/SITEv2/HTML/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_34.html "Incinerator" pre-production render at Ben Procter Online Portfolio]</ref> at different stages of the pre-production process. The name "Incinerator" was later used for a [[Incinerator (Movie)|different toy]] from the Movie toyline.

* Blackout's working name "Incinerator" is also accounted for in the aforementioned Hasbro bio, noting how Blackout will "fill the air with fire and burn the land clear to take his revenge".

* The period of time that Blackout acquired his vehicle mode in the film, three months prior to the unfolding events, appears to contradict the origin of his vehicle mode in IDW's ''[[Movie Prequel]]'' comics, with him apparently having scanned and destroyed the MH-53 Pave Low all the way back in 2003. It's maaaaybe possible that he just kept on destroying ''different'' Pave Lows over time to maintain his covert status (with the U.S. government covering it up) until he finally realized how close he was to a military network access point.

* [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok's]] alternate mode is actually a part of Blackout's helicopter mode; he's made up of a [[wikipedia:General_Electric_T64|General Electric T64]] turboshaft engine and various other helicopter bits. Considering Blackout didn't appear to be missing any integral parts of his alternate mode when answering [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy's]] call or during the final battle in [[Mission City]], either Scorponok reattached himself to Blackout after he escaped the US Air Force's counter-attack in Qatar, or Blackout somehow magically regrew the parts that were previously made up by Scorponok.

* Blackout is never actually seen using his chest cannon in the film, even though he unfurls it quite emphatically on two separate occasions.

* During a transmission from Burger King's website, Optimus Prime has decreed that we are not to ride ''this'' helicopter. The current ridability of ''other'' helicopters the world over is unknown. Stand by for further updates as they become available.

*Blackout uses a [[mouthplate]] in the movie, seen in a brief shot of the side of his face before Epps takes his photo at the beginning of the film, and again when Epps was targeting him during the climactic battle.

* Whilst Blackout is seen using his smaller rear Helicopter rotor as a weapon in the film, the console game shows that he is able to detach the main rotor from his back and swing it around in a somewhat similar manner.

* ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' never explicitly establishes [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] as a separate character from Blackout. Screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], when asked, was not sure whether they were supposed to be the same character or not.<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> In the [[Hasbro Q&A/July 2009: Answers|{{SITENAME_SHORT}} Hasbro Q&A for July 2009]], it was confirmed that Grindor, not Blackout, appears in the movie.

*Internal files for the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' video game identify Grindor as Blackout, indicating that the game had been developed with the understanding that they were the same character... but had dialog re-recorded to refer to him as Grindor.

*In addition to Orci, several other official sources were also confused if Blackout or Grindor appeared in ''Revenge of the Fallen''. The 2-disc special edition of the film features an inside look at some still poses of the Autobots and Decepticons, and names the helicopter as Blackout (he's 33 feet tall, by the way). The ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' also features Blackout instead of Grindor.

*In Hasbro's online "Vector Sigma: The Cybertronian Database" feature, Blackout's alternate mode is erroneously portrayed as [[Skyhammer (DOTM)|Skyhammer]]'s alternate mode. Likewise, his "Energon Wave" weapon is portrayed as Skyhammer's [[MechTech]] weapon.

*In the ''[[Dark of the Moon: The Ultimate Guide]]'' it also states that Blackout stands 33 feet tall.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blackout''' (ブラックアウト ''Burakkuauto'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Kisülés''' ("Discharge")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Hēi Mó''' (Taiwan, 黑魔, "Black Demon"), '''Xuan Yun''' (China, 眩晕, "Dizziness")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Vymyckach''' ("Switch Off")

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]

File:Revenge of the Fallen McDonalds Blackout.png

2011-08-06T10:10:25Z

Plo Koon 1: McDonalds Blackout toy from the Revenge of the Fallen line.

McDonalds Blackout toy from the Revenge of the Fallen line.

Megatron (Movie)

2011-08-02T16:19:42Z

Plo Koon 1:

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

'''Megatron''' was not always the viciously powerful and brutally direct leader of the Decepticons: he was once brothers-in-arms with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and a student of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]], appointed to be Cybertron's [[Lord High Protector|Protector]] and commander of its [[Defense Force]]. But Megatron resented his comrade, knowing he was a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and therefore Sentinel's favored son. This anger allowed [[The Fallen]] to ensnare him and led to the revival of the Decepticons. Even without The Fallen though, it's not hard to imagine Megatron would have erupted Cybertron into war to rid himself of Optimus.

Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have chased after the [[AllSpark]] alone, and spent centuries entombed in the [[Arctic]]. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Like his master, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards [[human]]s and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner.

{{quote|This is my planet!!!|Megatron viciously turns on Sentinel Prime|[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the dark age of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the fall of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], Megatron became a follower of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]. Sentinel recovered the [[AllSpark]], and planned to transport a sun to repower it and the rest of Cybertron. The [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacon]]s, who believed Sentinel to be a mad heretic, launched an attack on the AllSpark's facility. Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] fended off the Thetacons when Sentinel and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] successfully transported a star to Cybertron. The Thetacons laid down their arms, but Megatron resented that so many of his comrades had died before Cybertron's new dawn, and it was only by Optimus's persuasion that Megatron found it within himself to forgive his enemies and shake the Thetacon [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s hand. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}

That evening, Megatron eavesdropped on a conversation between Sentinel and Optimus. Sentinel claimed Optimus was also a Prime, and intended to make him the new ruler of Cybertron. Optimus refused, unable to accept he was a Prime and somehow superior to his comrades. The next day, Megatron grumbled to Shockwave that if he were Optimus, he would have accepted Sentinel's offer. They came across a [[Driller]] attacking a [[hatchling]] field trip, and successfully shot the creature to pieces. Megatron asked for the name of the Cybertronian who volunteered the guard the hatchlings: his name was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].

Three days later at the capital city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]], Sentinel Prime officially declared Cybertron's unification, and announced the planet would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]], and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} For two generations, Optimus and Megatron ruled Cybertron successfully, creating a balance of fair and firm leadership. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} When [[Malcontent]] activity increased on Cybertron, Megatron met with Optimus and requested supreme authority in protecting the planet. Optimus obliged. Megatron then requested to be called [[Lord High Protector]] and to be addressed as "sir". {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

After Commander Starscream returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], Optimus was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near [[Simfur Temple]] and the unusual pulse waves that the AllSpark had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in Trypticon. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would truly make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} He ordered the execution of the "false" Primes — though he knew Sentinel and Optimus were Primes, he needed to give his followers a villain. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

As Cybertron is devastated by the worsening war, Sentinel Prime is forced to make a deal with Megatron to seek out another planet whose resources they can exploit to restore their homeworld. The chosen planet is the resting place of the Primes' Star Harvester. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}{{storylink|Dark of the Moon issue 3}}

Ironhide led an attack on Simfur Temple. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Megatron stood at the gate and slaughtered many Autobots as Elita-One and [[Chromia (ROTF)|her]] [[Arcee (Movie)|sisters]] used the AllSpark to activate a "torch" made by Sentinel. Optimus finally appeared to fend off Megatron and ensure Elita-One escaped to give Sentinel the torch. Sentinel boarded the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]] with the torch to retrieve Optimus from Simfur, but to both Optimus and Megatron's horror, Starscream attacked the Ark, destroying it. The Autobots fled, but Megatron correctly deduced Optimus would return with a vengeance. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} From his [[Lord High Protector citadel|citadel]], Megatron watched as Optimus and Ironhide battled their way through his defenses. When Optimus finally entered the tower, he found Megatron covered in hatchlings and daring him to kill them with him, gloating that Optimus would never go far enough. Optimus revealed he didn't: it had all been a distraction as Wheeljack, Chromia and Arcee stole the AllSpark aboard a second [[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]. With the AllSpark removed from Sentinel's device, the sun it held in place disappeared. Optimus escaped, rescuing Ironhide from Starscream and Shockwave while leaving Megatron to free himself of his hungry hatchlings. Megatron swore he would recover the AllSpark, and that if he would have to travel across the entire universe to do so, he would kill every Autobot. {{storylink|Foundation|Foundation #1-4}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his again, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|"I HAVE WALKED INTO THIS!"]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japanese), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Spanish)

{{cleanup|July 2011|Hes a main character}}

[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Got these chains on me And they're draggin' me down Got these chains on me Hear that clankin' sound?'']]

Three years after Operation: Firestorm and the death of the Fallen, Megatron hid out in the plains of Namibia, Africa. There, still visibly bearing the scars of his latest battle with Optimus Prime, he sat on a throne of junk with only [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] and the diminutive [[Igor]] to command.

After [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream travelled to Washington D.C., where Megatron outlined his scheme to his second-in-command. Apparently, Sentinel was supposed to rendezvous with Megatron there on Earth, but the circumstances caused them both to be deactivated, and Sentinel was the only one who knew how to activate the [[space bridge]]. However, Megatron had a contingency plan: since they already had the pillars on the Moon and Optimus had recovered the Matrix of Leadership, he merely needed Optimus to revive Sentinel, so he could activate the pillars. And so arrived that moment, and Megatron blasted President Lincoln off his stone throne, and used the remains as a seat, where he declared "Here we are. Fight us NOW."

Soon, they travelled to Chicago, Illinois, where Sentinel and Megatron planned to start their global takeover. After Megatron stated that this was the world that he promised, that this way Cybertron would be restored, Sentinel randomly attacked Megatron, saying that while he would work ''with'' him, he would never work ''for'' him (even though Megatron stated that ''they'', as in both of them, would work together to rebuild Cybertron, but we can't really blame someone named "Prime" for disliking Megatron...).

Megatron was unable to forsee that Sentinel would betray him as well, who took control of the Decepticon forces stationed there. The Decepticon leader lay in another throne of junk, sulking. That is, until he was goaded by [[Carly Spencer]], a Human, to return to battle and kill Sentinel for usurping him. And that is what he came close to doing: he intervened in the battle between Optimus and Sentinel just before the latter was about to deal the fatal blow to the former, and severely wounded Sentinel. 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. Thinking that he was dead, Megatron decided to make a truce with Optimus, as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces saying "After all, what would you be without me, Prime?" Optimus declared that they would find out, just as Megatron is about to shoot his shotgun Optimus smashed Megatron's head with an energy axe, and tore it off his body, killing the tyrant once and for all. He then used his nemesis' fusion shotgun to end Sentinel's life once and for all.
{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===Revenge of the Fallen (mobile game)===
As part of the plan to reactivate the "[[Star Harvester|Great Machine]]", [[The Fallen]] resurrected Megatron using an [[AllSpark]] fragment retrieved from [[Shanghai]] by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. Megatron contacted Starscream, calling him back to base, so they could enact the next part of the plan. The Fallen instructed him to take the troops to [[Egypt]] to find the [[Matrix of Leadership]], though Megatron didn't think it was a good idea. In Egypt, he found [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] had defeated [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]], so he took the Autobot and the [[NEST]] personnel present as hostages and took possession of the Matrix. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] arrived, but Megatron pointed out he was no match for the powered-up Decepticon leader. Optimus agreed, and combining [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]'s parts with his own, soundly defeated Megatron. At that point The Fallen arrived, and Megatron was able to escape while Optimus Prime was otherwise occupied. Back at base, Megatron promised that now he was in total command of the Decepticons, the Autobots days were numbered. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]]

Three years after the battle at the pyramids, Megatron had retreated to a Decepticon base in an unknown missle silo, along with some hatchlings which hs stored among the silo's corridors. From there, he commanded Decepticon forces to attack key junctions in the UN's informations network in order to provide a cover for reviving their ally in Russia. The Decepticons were able to hide themselves from the Autobots for quite some time. He secretly listened in to Autobot transmissions thanks to his Communications Officer [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]].

Due to the scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)| Bumblebee's]] downloading of a virus in Soundwave's system, Megatron's communications were slightly crippled. This did not stop his plans however. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was able to launch a device to the moon.
Commanding Soundwave to land on Earth, he entrusted him to finding and destroying a former Sector 7 base which had vital information concerning their frozen Russian ally, along with their moon operation. Soundwave (along with his partner Laserbeak) succeeded in destroying the base. He then ordered Starscream to destroy a shipment of MechTech weaponry by the humans, led by [[Stratosphere]]. Starscream destroyed the large Autobot, but not before grabbing a piece of MechTech. When Starscream returned with this weaponry, Megatron chided Starscream, knowing all too well that the Autobots may have planted a beacon in their weapons, and proceded to drain Starscream's spark, but was interrupted by Soundwave announcing they are under attack.

Megatron easily dispatched of the Autobots invading his base, with many of his fellow Decepticon soldiers falling in battle. He later encountered Warpath, though that battle was not much of a stretch. He absorbed chunks of plutonium from the (partly) launching missiles he found, gaining more energy along the way and getting enough power to summon hatchlings from their eggs. He soon was able to scan a new vehicle form, and assumed it to traverse through the tunnels of the silo more efficiently. Soon enough, he encountered Optimus Prime himself, who appeared with a new trailer and a jetpack upgrade. Even with these upgrades, however, he was unable to defeat the Decepticon leader, who thrust him into an icy chamber to freeze. He then jumpstarted the thawing process to revive his Decepticon assassin, [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. Megatron then retreated from the burning base and to somewhere in Nambia, Africa. Regrouping with Soundwave, Starscream, and Shockwave, he ordered his assassin to find a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, and then announced that his plans were far from crippled....and that Operation: Pillar was unstoppable. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name—imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-Man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.
*In the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', it states Megatron possesses an internal self-regenerating dark matter power core which is possibly of alien origin. If this means anything to future media is anyone's guess.
*His weatherbeaten Mack tanker truck mode and Cybertronian sawed-off shotgun as seen in ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' are fairly straightforward nods to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_2 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior].
*Early concepts for his ''Dark of the Moon'' design called him Cyclonus in an attempt to curb leaks and spread misinformation.
*Megatron's story was altered significantly twice during development of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'': the climax of the second film would have revealed Megatron served The Fallen under the pretense of becoming a Prime, which Optimus exposes a lie, explaining Primes are born, not made. An angered Megatron refused to aid The Fallen in his final battle, and returned to the ''Nemesis'' via The Fallen's space bridge to raise an army of hatchlings. In the film he is removed from the battle by having Optimus disfigure him with his own cannon, forcing him to hide as a truck in Africa. Megatron would have survived ''Dark of the Moon'', with Optimus accepting the truce after helping kill Sentinel, with Megatron returning to Cybertron and leaving the possibility open to a fourth film. On screen, Megatron's offer comes across as less than sincere, allowing Optimus to finally tear his head off.
*Although Megatron uses [[Death-lock pincer|Fusion Cannon]] in both previous films, in ''Dark of the Moon'' Megatron's weapon changes to a Fusion Shotgun.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decepticon starships]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie starships]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-08-02T16:15:04Z

Plo Koon 1:

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:DOTM Megatron.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

Image:DOTM Megatron.jpg

'''Megatron''' was not always the viciously powerful and brutally direct leader of the Decepticons: he was once brothers-in-arms with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and a student of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]], appointed to be Cybertron's [[Lord High Protector|Protector]] and commander of its [[Defense Force]]. But Megatron resented his comrade, knowing he was a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and therefore Sentinel's favored son. This anger allowed [[The Fallen]] to ensnare him and led to the revival of the Decepticons. Even without The Fallen though, it's not hard to imagine Megatron would have erupted Cybertron into war to rid himself of Optimus.

Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have chased after the [[AllSpark]] alone, and spent centuries entombed in the [[Arctic]]. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Like his master, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards [[human]]s and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the dark age of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the fall of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], Megatron became a follower of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]. Sentinel recovered the [[AllSpark]], and planned to transport a sun to repower it and the rest of Cybertron. The [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacon]]s, who believed Sentinel to be a mad heretic, launched an attack on the AllSpark's facility. Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] fended off the Thetacons when Sentinel and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] successfully transported a star to Cybertron. The Thetacons laid down their arms, but Megatron resented that so many of his comrades had died before Cybertron's new dawn, and it was only by Optimus's persuasion that Megatron found it within himself to forgive his enemies and shake the Thetacon [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s hand. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}

That evening, Megatron eavesdropped on a conversation between Sentinel and Optimus. Sentinel claimed Optimus was also a Prime, and intended to make him the new ruler of Cybertron. Optimus refused, unable to accept he was a Prime and somehow superior to his comrades. The next day, Megatron grumbled to Shockwave that if he were Optimus, he would have accepted Sentinel's offer. They came across a [[Driller]] attacking a [[hatchling]] field trip, and successfully shot the creature to pieces. Megatron asked for the name of the Cybertronian who volunteered the guard the hatchlings: his name was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].

Three days later at the capital city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]], Sentinel Prime officially declared Cybertron's unification, and announced the planet would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]], and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} For two generations, Optimus and Megatron ruled Cybertron successfully, creating a balance of fair and firm leadership. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} When [[Malcontent]] activity increased on Cybertron, Megatron met with Optimus and requested supreme authority in protecting the planet. Optimus obliged. Megatron then requested to be called [[Lord High Protector]] and to be addressed as "sir". {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

After Commander Starscream returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], Optimus was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near [[Simfur Temple]] and the unusual pulse waves that the AllSpark had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in Trypticon. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would truly make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} He ordered the execution of the "false" Primes — though he knew Sentinel and Optimus were Primes, he needed to give his followers a villain. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

As Cybertron is devastated by the worsening war, Sentinel Prime is forced to make a deal with Megatron to seek out another planet whose resources they can exploit to restore their homeworld. The chosen planet is the resting place of the Primes' Star Harvester. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}{{storylink|Dark of the Moon issue 3}}

Ironhide led an attack on Simfur Temple. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Megatron stood at the gate and slaughtered many Autobots as Elita-One and [[Chromia (ROTF)|her]] [[Arcee (Movie)|sisters]] used the AllSpark to activate a "torch" made by Sentinel. Optimus finally appeared to fend off Megatron and ensure Elita-One escaped to give Sentinel the torch. Sentinel boarded the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]] with the torch to retrieve Optimus from Simfur, but to both Optimus and Megatron's horror, Starscream attacked the Ark, destroying it. The Autobots fled, but Megatron correctly deduced Optimus would return with a vengeance. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} From his [[Lord High Protector citadel|citadel]], Megatron watched as Optimus and Ironhide battled their way through his defenses. When Optimus finally entered the tower, he found Megatron covered in hatchlings and daring him to kill them with him, gloating that Optimus would never go far enough. Optimus revealed he didn't: it had all been a distraction as Wheeljack, Chromia and Arcee stole the AllSpark aboard a second [[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]. With the AllSpark removed from Sentinel's device, the sun it held in place disappeared. Optimus escaped, rescuing Ironhide from Starscream and Shockwave while leaving Megatron to free himself of his hungry hatchlings. Megatron swore he would recover the AllSpark, and that if he would have to travel across the entire universe to do so, he would kill every Autobot. {{storylink|Foundation|Foundation #1-4}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his again, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|"I HAVE WALKED INTO THIS!"]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japanese), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Spanish)

{{cleanup|July 2011|Hes a main character}}

[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Got these chains on me And they're draggin' me down Got these chains on me Hear that clankin' sound?'']]

Three years after Operation: Firestorm and the death of the Fallen, Megatron hid out in the plains of Namibia, Africa. There, still visibly bearing the scars of his latest battle with Optimus Prime, he sat on a throne of junk with only [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] and the diminutive [[Igor]] to command.

After [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream travelled to Washington D.C., where Megatron outlined his scheme to his second-in-command. Apparently, Sentinel was supposed to rendezvous with Megatron there on Earth, but the circumstances caused them both to be deactivated, and Sentinel was the only one who knew how to activate the [[space bridge]]. However, Megatron had a contingency plan: since they already had the pillars on the Moon and Optimus had recovered the Matrix of Leadership, he merely needed Optimus to revive Sentinel, so he could activate the pillars. And so arrived that moment, and Megatron blasted President Lincoln off his stone throne, and used the remains as a seat, where he declared "Here we are. Fight us NOW."

Soon, they travelled to Chicago, Illinois, where Sentinel and Megatron planned to start their global takeover. After Megatron stated that this was the world that he promised, that this way Cybertron would be restored, Sentinel randomly attacked Megatron, saying that while he would work ''with'' him, he would never work ''for'' him (even though Megatron stated that ''they'', as in both of them, would work together to rebuild Cybertron, but we can't really blame someone named "Prime" for disliking Megatron...).

Megatron was unable to forsee that Sentinel would betray him as well, who took control of the Decepticon forces stationed there. The Decepticon leader lay in another throne of junk, sulking. That is, until he was goaded by [[Carly Spencer]], a Human, to return to battle and kill Sentinel for usurping him. And that is what he came close to doing: he intervened in the battle between Optimus and Sentinel just before the latter was about to deal the fatal blow to the former, and severely wounded Sentinel. 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. Thinking that he was dead, Megatron decided to make a truce with Optimus, as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces saying "After all, what would you be without me, Prime?" Optimus declared that they would find out, just as Megatron is about to shoot his shotgun Optimus smashed Megatron's head with an energy axe, and tore it off his body, killing the tyrant once and for all. He then used his nemesis' fusion shotgun to end Sentinel's life once and for all.
{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===Revenge of the Fallen (mobile game)===
As part of the plan to reactivate the "[[Star Harvester|Great Machine]]", [[The Fallen]] resurrected Megatron using an [[AllSpark]] fragment retrieved from [[Shanghai]] by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. Megatron contacted Starscream, calling him back to base, so they could enact the next part of the plan. The Fallen instructed him to take the troops to [[Egypt]] to find the [[Matrix of Leadership]], though Megatron didn't think it was a good idea. In Egypt, he found [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] had defeated [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]], so he took the Autobot and the [[NEST]] personnel present as hostages and took possession of the Matrix. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] arrived, but Megatron pointed out he was no match for the powered-up Decepticon leader. Optimus agreed, and combining [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]'s parts with his own, soundly defeated Megatron. At that point The Fallen arrived, and Megatron was able to escape while Optimus Prime was otherwise occupied. Back at base, Megatron promised that now he was in total command of the Decepticons, the Autobots days were numbered. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]]

Three years after the battle at the pyramids, Megatron had retreated to a Decepticon base in an unknown missle silo, along with some hatchlings which hs stored among the silo's corridors. From there, he commanded Decepticon forces to attack key junctions in the UN's informations network in order to provide a cover for reviving their ally in Russia. The Decepticons were able to hide themselves from the Autobots for quite some time. He secretly listened in to Autobot transmissions thanks to his Communications Officer [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]].

Due to the scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)| Bumblebee's]] downloading of a virus in Soundwave's system, Megatron's communications were slightly crippled. This did not stop his plans however. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was able to launch a device to the moon.
Commanding Soundwave to land on Earth, he entrusted him to finding and destroying a former Sector 7 base which had vital information concerning their frozen Russian ally, along with their moon operation. Soundwave (along with his partner Laserbeak) succeeded in destroying the base. He then ordered Starscream to destroy a shipment of MechTech weaponry by the humans, led by [[Stratosphere]]. Starscream destroyed the large Autobot, but not before grabbing a piece of MechTech. When Starscream returned with this weaponry, Megatron chided Starscream, knowing all too well that the Autobots may have planted a beacon in their weapons, and proceded to drain Starscream's spark, but was interrupted by Soundwave announcing they are under attack.

Megatron easily dispatched of the Autobots invading his base, with many of his fellow Decepticon soldiers falling in battle. He later encountered Warpath, though that battle was not much of a stretch. He absorbed chunks of plutonium from the (partly) launching missiles he found, gaining more energy along the way and getting enough power to summon hatchlings from their eggs. He soon was able to scan a new vehicle form, and assumed it to traverse through the tunnels of the silo more efficiently. Soon enough, he encountered Optimus Prime himself, who appeared with a new trailer and a jetpack upgrade. Even with these upgrades, however, he was unable to defeat the Decepticon leader, who thrust him into an icy chamber to freeze. He then jumpstarted the thawing process to revive his Decepticon assassin, [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. Megatron then retreated from the burning base and to somewhere in Nambia, Africa. Regrouping with Soundwave, Starscream, and Shockwave, he ordered his assassin to find a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, and then announced that his plans were far from crippled....and that Operation: Pillar was unstoppable. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name—imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-Man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.
*In the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', it states Megatron possesses an internal self-regenerating dark matter power core which is possibly of alien origin. If this means anything to future media is anyone's guess.
*His weatherbeaten Mack tanker truck mode and Cybertronian sawed-off shotgun as seen in ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' are fairly straightforward nods to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_2 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior].
*Early concepts for his ''Dark of the Moon'' design called him Cyclonus in an attempt to curb leaks and spread misinformation.
*Megatron's story was altered significantly twice during development of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'': the climax of the second film would have revealed Megatron served The Fallen under the pretense of becoming a Prime, which Optimus exposes a lie, explaining Primes are born, not made. An angered Megatron refused to aid The Fallen in his final battle, and returned to the ''Nemesis'' via The Fallen's space bridge to raise an army of hatchlings. In the film he is removed from the battle by having Optimus disfigure him with his own cannon, forcing him to hide as a truck in Africa. Megatron would have survived ''Dark of the Moon'', with Optimus accepting the truce after helping kill Sentinel, with Megatron returning to Cybertron and leaving the possibility open to a fourth film. On screen, Megatron's offer comes across as less than sincere, allowing Optimus to finally tear his head off.
*Although Megatron uses [[Death-lock pincer|Fusion Cannon]] in both previous films, in ''Dark of the Moon'' Megatron's weapon changes to a Fusion Shotgun.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decepticon starships]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie starships]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-07-24T16:43:09Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Dark of the Moon film */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

'''Megatron''' was not always the viciously powerful and brutally direct leader of the Decepticons: he was once brothers-in-arms with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and a student of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]], appointed to be Cybertron's [[Lord High Protector|Protector]] and commander of its [[Defense Force]]. But Megatron resented his comrade, knowing he was a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and therefore Sentinel's favored son. This anger allowed [[The Fallen]] to ensnare him and led to the revival of the Decepticons. Even without The Fallen though, it's not hard to imagine Megatron would have erupted Cybertron into war to rid himself of Optimus.

Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have chased after the [[AllSpark]] alone, and spent centuries entombed in the [[Arctic]]. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Like his master, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards [[human]]s and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the dark age of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the fall of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], Megatron became a follower of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]. Sentinel recovered the [[AllSpark]], and planned to transport a sun to repower it and the rest of Cybertron. The [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacon]]s, who believed Sentinel to be a mad heretic, launched an attack on the AllSpark's facility. Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] fended off the Thetacons when Sentinel and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] successfully transported a star to Cybertron. The Thetacons laid down their arms, but Megatron resented that so many of his comrades had died before Cybertron's new dawn, and it was only by Optimus's persuasion that Megatron found it within himself to forgive his enemies and shake the Thetacon [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s hand. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}

That evening, Megatron eavesdropped on a conversation between Sentinel and Optimus. Sentinel claimed Optimus was also a Prime, and intended to make him the new ruler of Cybertron. Optimus refused, unable to accept he was a Prime and somehow superior to his comrades. The next day, Megatron grumbled to Shockwave that if he were Optimus, he would have accepted Sentinel's offer. They came across a [[Driller]] attacking a [[hatchling]] field trip, and successfully shot the creature to pieces. Megatron asked for the name of the Cybertronian who volunteered the guard the hatchlings: his name was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].

Three days later at the capital city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]], Sentinel Prime officially declared Cybertron's unification, and announced the planet would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]], and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} For two generations, Optimus and Megatron ruled Cybertron successfully, creating a balance of fair and firm leadership. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} When [[Malcontent]] activity increased on Cybertron, Megatron met with Optimus and requested supreme authority in protecting the planet. Optimus obliged. Megatron then requested to be called [[Lord High Protector]] and to be addressed as "sir". {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

After Commander Starscream returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], Optimus was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near [[Simfur Temple]] and the unusual pulse waves that the AllSpark had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in Trypticon. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would truly make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} He ordered the execution of the "false" Primes — though he knew Sentinel and Optimus were Primes, he needed to give his followers a villain. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

Ironhide led an attack on Simfur Temple. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Megatron stood at the gate and slaughtered many Autobots as Elita-One and [[Chromia (ROTF)|her]] [[Arcee (Movie)|sisters]] used the AllSpark to activate a "torch" made by Sentinel. Optimus finally appeared to fend off Megatron and ensure Elita-One escaped to give Sentinel the torch. Sentinel boarded the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]] with the torch to retrieve Optimus from Simfur, but to both Optimus and Megatron's horror, Starscream attacked the Ark, destroying it. The Autobots fled, but Megatron correctly deduced Optimus would return with a vengeance. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} From his [[Lord High Protector citadel|citadel]], Megatron watched as Optimus and Ironhide battled their way through his defenses. When Optimus finally entered the tower, he found Megatron covered in hatchlings and daring him to kill them with him, gloating that Optimus would never go far enough. Optimus revealed he didn't: it had all been a distraction as Wheeljack, Chromia and Arcee stole the AllSpark aboard a second [[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]. With the AllSpark removed from Sentinel's device, the sun it held in place disappeared. Optimus escaped, rescuing Ironhide from Starscream and Shockwave while leaving Megatron to free himself of his hungry hatchlings. Megatron swore he would recover the AllSpark, and that if he would have to travel across the entire universe to do so, he would kill every Autobot. {{storylink|Foundation|Foundation #1-4}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his again, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|"I HAVE WALKED INTO THIS!"]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Sspanish)

{{cleanup|July 2011|}}

{{spoiler|Dark of the Moon (film)|when=July 29, 2011}}

[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Got these chains on me And they're draggin' me down Got these chains on me Hear that clankin' sound?'']]

Three years after Operation: Firestorm and the death of the Fallen, Megatron hid out in the plains of Namibia, Africa. There, still visibly bearing the scars of his latest battle with Optimus Prime, he sat on a throne of junk with only [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] and the diminutive [[Igor]] to command.

After [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream travelled to Washington D.C., where Megatron outlined his scheme to his second-in-command. Apparently, Sentinel was supposed to rendezvous with Megatron there on Earth, but the circumstances caused them both to be deactivated, and Sentinel was the only one who knew how to activate the [[space bridge]]. However, Megatron had a contingency plan: since they already had the pillars on the Moon and Optimus had recovered the Matrix of Leadership, he merely needed Optimus to revive Sentinel, so he could activate the pillars. And so arrived that moment, and Megatron blasted President Lincoln off his stone throne, and used the remains as a seat, where he declared "Here we are. Fight us NOW."

Soon, they travelled to Chicago, Illinois, where Sentinel and Megatron planned to start their global takeover. After Megatron stated that this was the world that he promised, that this way Cybertron would be restored, Sentinel randomly attacked Megatron, saying that while he would work ''with'' him, he would never work ''for'' him (even though Megatron stated that ''they'', as in both of them, would work together to rebuild Cybertron, but we can't really blame someone named "Prime" for disliking Megatron...).

Megatron was unable to forsee that Sentinel would betray him as well, who took control of the Decepticon forces stationed there. The Decepticon leader lay in another throne of junk, sulking. That is, until he was goaded by [[Carly Spencer]], a Human, to return to battle and kill Sentinel for usurping him. And that is what he came close to doing: he intervened in the battle between Optimus and Sentinel just before the latter was about to deal the fatal blow to the former, and severely wounded Sentinel. 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. Thinking that he was dead, Megatron decided to make a truce with Optimus, as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces saying "After all, what would you be without me, Prime?" Optimus declared that they would find out, just as Megatron is about to shoot his shotgun Optimus smashed Megatron's head with an energy axe, and tore it off his body, killing the tyrant once and for all. He then used his nemesis' fusion shotgun to end Sentinel's life once and for all.
{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===Revenge of the Fallen (mobile game)===
As part of the plan to reactivate the "[[Star Harvester|Great Machine]]", [[The Fallen]] resurrected Megatron using an [[AllSpark]] fragment retrieved from [[Shanghai]] by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. Megatron contacted Starscream, calling him back to base, so they could enact the next part of the plan. The Fallen instructed him to take the troops to [[Egypt]] to find the [[Matrix of Leadership]], though Megatron didn't think it was a good idea. In Egypt, he found [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] had defeated [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]], so he took the Autobot and the [[NEST]] personnel present as hostages and took possession of the Matrix. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] arrived, but Megatron pointed out he was no match for the powered-up Decepticon leader. Optimus agreed, and combining [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]'s parts with his own, soundly defeated Megatron. At that point The Fallen arrived, and Megatron was able to escape while Optimus Prime was otherwise occupied. Back at base, Megatron promised that now he was in total command of the Decepticons, the Autobots days were numbered. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]]

Three years after the battle at the pyramids, Megatron had retreated to a Decepticon base in an unknown missle silo, along with some hatchlings which hs stored among the silo's corridors. From there, he commanded Decepticon forces to attack key junctions in the UN's informations network in order to provide a cover for reviving their ally in Russia. The Decepticons were able to hide themselves from the Autobots for quite some time. He secretly listened in to Autobot transmissions thanks to his Communications Officer [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]].

Due to the scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)| Bumblebee's]] downloading of a virus in Soundwave's system, Megatron's communications were slightly crippled. This did not stop his plans however. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was able to launch a device to the moon.
Commanding Soundwave to land on Earth, he entrusted him to finding and destroying a former Sector 7 base which had vital information concerning their frozen Russian ally, along with their moon operation. Soundwave (along with his partner Laserbeak) succeeded in destroying the base. He then ordered Starscream to destroy a shipment of MechTech weaponry by the humans, led by [[Stratosphere]]. Starscream destroyed the large Autobot, but not before grabbing a piece of MechTech. When Starscream returned with this weaponry, Megatron chided Starscream, knowing all too well that the Autobots may have planted a beacon in their weapons, and proceded to drain Starscream's spark, but was interrupted by Soundwave announcing they are under attack.

Megatron easily dispatched of the Autobots invading his base, with many of his fellow Decepticon soldiers falling in battle. He later encountered Warpath, though that battle was not much of a stretch. He absorbed chunks of plutonium from the (partly) launching missiles he found, gaining more energy along the way and getting enough power to summon hatchlings from their eggs. He soon was able to scan a new vehicle form, and assumed it to traverse through the tunnels of the silo more efficiently. Soon enough, he encountered Optimus Prime himself, who appeared with a new trailer and a jetpack upgrade. Even with these upgrades, however, he was unable to defeat the Decepticon leader, who thrust him into an icy chamber to freeze. He then jumpstarted the thawing process to revive his Decepticon assassin, [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. Megatron then retreated from the burning base and to somewhere in Nambia, Africa. Regrouping with Soundwave, Starscream, and Shockwave, he ordered his assassin to find a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, and then announced that his plans were far from crippled....and that Operation: Pillar was unstoppable. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name—imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-Man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
** Of course, in the novelization, it is overtly stated that seconds after first landing on Earth, Optimus Prime downloaded ''the entire Internet'' in a matter of seconds, giving him perfect fluency in all Human languages, so it is also possible that Megatron did the same.
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.
*In the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', it states Megatron possesses an internal self-regenerating dark matter power core which is possibly of alien origin. If this means anything to future media is anyone's guess.
*His weatherbeaten Mack tanker truck mode and Cybertronian sawed-off shotgun as seen in ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' are fairly straightforward nods to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_2 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior].
*Early concepts for his ''Dark of the Moon'' design called him Cyclonus in an attempt to curb leaks and spread misinformation.
*Megatron's story was altered significantly twice during development of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'': the climax of the second film would have revealed Megatron served The Fallen under the pretense of becoming a Prime, which Optimus exposes a lie, explaining Primes are born, not made. An angered Megatron refused to aid The Fallen in his final battle, and returned to the ''Nemesis'' via The Fallen's space bridge to raise an army of hatchlings. In the film he is removed from the battle by having Optimus disfigure him with his own cannon, forcing him to hide as a truck in Africa. Megatron would have survived ''Dark of the Moon'', with Optimus accepting the truce after helping kill Sentinel, with Megatron returning to Cybertron and leaving the possibility open to a fourth film. On screen, Megatron's offer comes across as less than sincere, allowing Optimus to finally tear his head off.
*Although Megatron uses [[Death-lock pincer|Fusion Cannon]] in both previous films, in ''Dark of the Moon'' Megatron's weapon changes to a Fusion Shotgun.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decepticon starships]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie starships]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-07-23T18:21:29Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Synopsis */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/1ef99019addbf7f207595f5da129bfb6-690.php 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 ''[[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|We will kill them all.|<s>Michael Bay</s> Optimus Prime|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}

==Synopsis==
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'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]]. On a mission to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]], a NEST team led by [[William Lennox|Lt. Col. Lennox]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] 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 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.

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.

Subsequently, 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. Arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime reveals that he had made a deal with Megatron, knowing that the Autobots could never win the war. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and several NEST soldiers, Sentinel Prime 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 Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

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 (ROTF)|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 (Movie)|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''.

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. 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's "pet", the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using wingsuits, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobots' inventor [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to take prisoners and kill them all. 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. While NEST and the Autobots fight the Decepticons and kill most of them, Optimus Prime topples over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

A fight between Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime ensues, during which Optimus loses an arm, with Sentinel gaining the upper hand. Carly, who has been freed by Sam in the meantime, stumbles across Megatron, who is still suffering from the wounds Optimus Prime had inflicted upon him during their [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|battle in Egypt]], 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 Prime is alive. Infuriated, he intervenes in the battle and turns on Sentinel, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule, and severely damages him. 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. 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. Megatron offers Optimus Prime a truce as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces, but Optimus ignores his plea and just as Megatron is about to shoot his shotgun Optimus splits Megatron's head with an axe. Subsequently, he uses Megatron's shotgun cannon to kill a weakened Sentinel Prime, who is trying to excuse his actions.

Believing their home planet to be destroyed for good, the remaining Autobots accept Earth as their new home.

Seymour Simmons uses the opportunity to kiss Charlotte Mearing, for whom he still has feelings. Mearing responds by having him arrested.

==Quotes==
'''Mearing''': "What is this, the silent treatment?" 
'''Ironhide''': "No, I've seen that. This is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''."
:—NEST discusses Optimus Prime's foul mood.

'''Simmons''': Don't worry, I speak their language. <Doorman opens sliding hatch> Do svidaniya. 
'''Doorman''': 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.

"Here we are. Fight us ''now''."
:—'''Megatron''', pulling the evil overlord cliche on us while sitting atop the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]

"The Decepticons have my trailer. I ''need'' that flight tech!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', [[To sell toys|selling toys]].

"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. For I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to the universe: We are here. We are home."
:—'''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]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[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]])
*[[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]])
*[[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/>

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

|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)

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

==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/dark 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.
* 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, Prypiat'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://www.flickr.com/photos/nubber/544337347/ Photo of the Prypiat 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 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.
* In a 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.
* Despite being stuck in the Ark for years and not yet having scanned a vehicle mode Sentinel Prime has [[kibble]] from his Rosenbauer fire truck alternate mode when he is first seen.
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his license plate from the [[Transformers (2007)|first movie]], "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, but doesn't have a license plate in vehicle mode.
* Speaking of inconsistency 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.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (subgroup)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force.
* 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 before arriving in Chicago, and has yet another outfit the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' it's said that nine of them are leaving. 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.
* Throughout the sequence of Barricade kicking and shoving Que along before executing him, he is speaking with Soundwave's voice.

==Transformers references==

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

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

* 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 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 [[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 well-regarded 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 popular Generation 1 cartoon multi-part episode, "[[Megatron's Master Plan]]."

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

==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{{m-}}who voices Sentinel Prime. They comment that it is "the one where Spock goes nuts," which foreshadows Sentinel's heel turn.

* 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 may be 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.

==Other editions==

==Prequel material==

==Adaptations==

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

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

==Home video releases==

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image: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 movie 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.) As of July 19, 2011, ''Dark of the Moon'' has earned over $308.7 million domestically, and over $782.7 million worldwide.<ref name="bomdotm">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers3.htm ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''] at Box Office Mojo.</ref>

==Production staff==
===Visual effects===
===Locations department===

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (2007)|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 ''[[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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/0fd64fd57c9b9b6d33e15c76a46dae48-565.php 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/blog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php 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)|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and is married to Michael Bay's cousin Susan, had previously been under consideration for [[The Fallen]]'s voice in ''[[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>

===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 were [[Chicago]], 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"/>

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://articlles.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> 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://movies.ign.com/articles/118/1180411p1.html "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 serve as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a police car. Nobody was seriously injured this time.<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>

''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 US 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 ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]]) and a Mercedes-Benz E550 ([[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]). Both robots sport names in the movie 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]].

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]], [[Wikipedia:CNN|CNN]], [[Wikipedia: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 [[Wikipedia:Nokia|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).

*In January 2010, 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 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 [[Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and the [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|comic adaptation]].

* 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 [[Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon''. 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 brief shot). 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. Graffitis 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]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "Colossus" for the [[Driller]]<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref>, "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[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".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]

* 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"/>

* 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's official Transformers website identifies the dog as "[[Steeljaw (DOTM)|Steeljaw]]".<ref name="vectorsigma">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] Hasbro.com.</ref>

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at 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.
{{-}}

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[Image:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|300px|right|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 [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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>

[[Image:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|300px|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 [[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 ''[[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 [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered on [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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=mIuqiepu4UY 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 (2007)|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's ship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', had made an appearance in ''[[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.
** 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. Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. (To be fair, he dropped his cannons during the final battle in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has an ordinary handheld shotgun. (then again his arm that turned into his Fusion cannon was ripped off by Prime in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) The only ones who still seem to have the same converting arm cannons as in the previous movies are Bumblebee and Ratchet.

* [[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/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido Mūn'')
*''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'''''
*''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'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''變形金剛3：黑月降臨'''''

==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]

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

Megatron (Movie)

2011-07-23T18:20:38Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Dark of the Moon film */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

'''Megatron''' was not always the viciously powerful and brutally direct leader of the Decepticons: he was once brothers-in-arms with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and a student of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]], appointed to be Cybertron's [[Lord High Protector|Protector]] and commander of its [[Defense Force]]. But Megatron resented his comrade, knowing he was a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and therefore Sentinel's favored son. This anger allowed [[The Fallen]] to ensnare him and led to the revival of the Decepticons. Even without The Fallen though, it's not hard to imagine Megatron would have erupted Cybertron into war to rid himself of Optimus.

Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have chased after the [[AllSpark]] alone, and spent centuries entombed in the [[Arctic]]. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Like his master, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards [[human]]s and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the dark age of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the fall of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], Megatron became a follower of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]. Sentinel recovered the [[AllSpark]], and planned to transport a sun to repower it and the rest of Cybertron. The [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacon]]s, who believed Sentinel to be a mad heretic, launched an attack on the AllSpark's facility. Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] fended off the Thetacons when Sentinel and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] successfully transported a star to Cybertron. The Thetacons laid down their arms, but Megatron resented that so many of his comrades had died before Cybertron's new dawn, and it was only by Optimus's persuasion that Megatron found it within himself to forgive his enemies and shake the Thetacon [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s hand. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}

That evening, Megatron eavesdropped on a conversation between Sentinel and Optimus. Sentinel claimed Optimus was also a Prime, and intended to make him the new ruler of Cybertron. Optimus refused, unable to accept he was a Prime and somehow superior to his comrades. The next day, Megatron grumbled to Shockwave that if he were Optimus, he would have accepted Sentinel's offer. They came across a [[Driller]] attacking a [[hatchling]] field trip, and successfully shot the creature to pieces. Megatron asked for the name of the Cybertronian who volunteered the guard the hatchlings: his name was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].

Three days later at the capital city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]], Sentinel Prime officially declared Cybertron's unification, and announced the planet would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]], and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} For two generations, Optimus and Megatron ruled Cybertron successfully, creating a balance of fair and firm leadership. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} When [[Malcontent]] activity increased on Cybertron, Megatron met with Optimus and requested supreme authority in protecting the planet. Optimus obliged. Megatron then requested to be called [[Lord High Protector]] and to be addressed as "sir". {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

After Commander Starscream returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], Optimus was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near [[Simfur Temple]] and the unusual pulse waves that the AllSpark had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in Trypticon. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would truly make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} He ordered the execution of the "false" Primes — though he knew Sentinel and Optimus were Primes, he needed to give his followers a villain. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

Ironhide led an attack on Simfur Temple. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Megatron stood at the gate and slaughtered many Autobots as Elita-One and [[Chromia (ROTF)|her]] [[Arcee (Movie)|sisters]] used the AllSpark to activate a "torch" made by Sentinel. Optimus finally appeared to fend off Megatron and ensure Elita-One escaped to give Sentinel the torch. Sentinel boarded the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]] with the torch to retrieve Optimus from Simfur, but to both Optimus and Megatron's horror, Starscream attacked the Ark, destroying it. The Autobots fled, but Megatron correctly deduced Optimus would return with a vengeance. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} From his [[Lord High Protector citadel|citadel]], Megatron watched as Optimus and Ironhide battled their way through his defenses. When Optimus finally entered the tower, he found Megatron covered in hatchlings and daring him to kill them with him, gloating that Optimus would never go far enough. Optimus revealed he didn't: it had all been a distraction as Wheeljack, Chromia and Arcee stole the AllSpark aboard a second [[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]. With the AllSpark removed from Sentinel's device, the sun it held in place disappeared. Optimus escaped, rescuing Ironhide from Starscream and Shockwave while leaving Megatron to free himself of his hungry hatchlings. Megatron swore he would recover the AllSpark, and that if he would have to travel across the entire universe to do so, he would kill every Autobot. {{storylink|Foundation|Foundation #1-4}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his again, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|"I HAVE WALKED INTO THIS!"]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Sspanish)

{{cleanup|July 2011|}}

{{spoiler|Dark of the Moon (film)|when=July 29, 2011}}

[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Got these chains on me And they're draggin' me down Got these chains on me Hear that clankin' sound?'']]

Three years after Operation: Firestorm and the death of the Fallen, Megatron hid out in the plains of Namibia, Africa. There, he sat on his throne of junk with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command.

After [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream traveled to Washington D.C., where Megatron outlined his scheme to his second-in-command. Apparently, Sentinel was supposed to rendevous with Megatron there on Earth, but the circumstances caused them both to be deactivated. However, Megatron had a contingency plan: since they already had the pillars on the moon and Optimus had the Matrix, he merely needed Optimus to revive Sentinel to activate the pillars. And so arrived that moment, and Megatron blasted President Lincoln off his stone throne, and used the remains as a seat, where he declared "Here we are. Fight us NOW."

Soon, they traveled to Chicago, Illinois, where Sentinel and Megatron planned to start their global takeover. After Megatron stated that this was the world that he promised, that this way Cybertron would be restored, Sentinel randomly attacked Megatron, saying that while he would work ''with'' him, he would never work ''for'' him (even though Megatron stated that ''they'', as in both of them, would work together to rebuild Cybertron, but...).

Megatron was unable to forsee that Sentinel would betray him as well, who took control of the Decepticon forces stationed there. The Decepticon leader lay in another throne of junk, sulking. That is, until he was goaded by [[Carly Spencer]], a human, to return to battle and kill Sentinel for ursurping him. And that is what he came close to doing: he intervened in the battle between Optimus and Sentinel, and severely wounded Sentinel. 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. Thinking that he was dead, Megatron decided to make a truce with Optimus, as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces saying "After all, what would you be without me, Prime?" Optimus declared that they would find out, just as Megatron is about to shoot his shotgun Optimus grips Megatron's head and tears it off his body. He then used his nemesis's fusion shotgun to end Sentinel's life once and for all.
{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]]

Three years after the battle at the pyramids, Megatron had retreated to a Decepticon base in an unknown missle silo, along with some hatchlings which hs stored among the silo's corridors. From there, he commanded Decepticon forces to attack key junctions in the UN's informations network in order to provide a cover for reviving their ally in Russia. The Decepticons were able to hide themselves from the Autobots for quite some time. He secretly listened in to Autobot transmissions thanks to his Communications Officer [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]].

Due to the scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)| Bumblebee's]] downloading of a virus in Soundwave's system, Megatron's communications were slightly crippled. This did not stop his plans however. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was able to launch a device to the moon.
Commanding Soundwave to land on Earth, he entrusted him to finding and destroying a former Sector 7 base which had vital information concerning their frozen Russian ally, along with their moon operation. Soundwave (along with his partner Laserbeak) succeeded in destroying the base. He then ordered Starscream to destroy a shipment of MechTech weaponry by the humans, led by [[Stratosphere]]. Starscream destroyed the large Autobot, but not before grabbing a piece of MechTech. When Starscream returned with this weaponry, Megatron chided Starscream, knowing all too well that the Autobots may have planted a beacon in their weapons, and proceded to drain Starscream's spark, but was interrupted by Soundwave announcing they are under attack.

Megatron easily dispatched of the Autobots invading his base, with many of his fellow Decepticon soldiers falling in battle. He later encountered Warpath, though that battle was not much of a stretch. He absorbed chunks of plutonium from the (partly) launching missiles he found, gaining more energy along the way and getting enough power to summon hatchlings from their eggs. He soon was able to scan a new vehicle form, and assumed it to traverse through the tunnels of the silo more efficiently. Soon enough, he encountered Optimus Prime himself, who appeared with a new trailer and a jetpack upgrade. Even with these upgrades, however, he was unable to defeat the Decepticon leader, who thrust him into an icy chamber to freeze. He then jumpstarted the thawing process to revive his Decepticon assassin, [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. Megatron then retreated from the burning base and to somewhere in Nambia, Africa. Regrouping with Soundwave, Starscream, and Shockwave, he ordered his assassin to find a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, and then announced that his plans were far from crippled....and that Operation: Pillar was unstoppable. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name—imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-Man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.
*In the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', it states Megatron possesses an internal self-regenerating dark matter power core which is possibly of alien origin. If this means anything to future media is anyone's guess.
*His weatherbeaten Mack tanker truck mode and Cybertronian sawed-off shotgun as seen in ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' are fairly straightforward nods to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_2 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior].
*Early concepts for his ''Dark of the Moon'' design called him Cyclonus in an attempt to curb leaks and spread misinformation.
*Megatron's story was altered significantly twice during development of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'': the climax of the second film would have revealed Megatron served The Fallen under the pretense of becoming a Prime, which Optimus exposes a lie, explaining Primes are born, not made. An angered Megatron refused to aid The Fallen in his final battle, and returned to the ''Nemesis'' via The Fallen's space bridge to raise an army of hatchlings. In the film he is removed from the battle by having Optimus disfigure him with his own cannon, forcing him to hide as a truck in Africa. Megatron would have survived ''Dark of the Moon'', with Optimus accepting the truce after helping kill Sentinel, with Megatron returning to Cybertron and leaving the possibility open to a fourth film. On screen, Megatron's offer comes across as less than sincere, allowing Optimus to finally tear his head off.
*Although Megatron uses [[Death-lock pincer|Fusion Cannon]] in both previous films, in ''Dark of the Moon'' Megatron's weapon changes to a Fusion Shotgun.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decepticon starships]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie starships]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-07-23T17:39:27Z

Plo Koon 1:

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tranformers-3-DOTM-Megatron.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

'''Megatron''' was not always the viciously powerful and brutally direct leader of the Decepticons: he was once brothers-in-arms with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and a student of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]], appointed to be Cybertron's [[Lord High Protector|Protector]] and commander of its [[Defense Force]]. But Megatron resented his comrade, knowing he was a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and therefore Sentinel's favored son. This anger allowed [[The Fallen]] to ensnare him and led to the revival of the Decepticons. Even without The Fallen though, it's not hard to imagine Megatron would have erupted Cybertron into war to rid himself of Optimus.

Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have chased after the [[AllSpark]] alone, and spent centuries entombed in the [[Arctic]]. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Like his master, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards [[human]]s and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the dark age of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the fall of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], Megatron became a follower of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]. Sentinel recovered the [[AllSpark]], and planned to transport a sun to repower it and the rest of Cybertron. The [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacon]]s, who believed Sentinel to be a mad heretic, launched an attack on the AllSpark's facility. Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] fended off the Thetacons when Sentinel and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] successfully transported a star to Cybertron. The Thetacons laid down their arms, but Megatron resented that so many of his comrades had died before Cybertron's new dawn, and it was only by Optimus's persuasion that Megatron found it within himself to forgive his enemies and shake the Thetacon [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s hand. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}

That evening, Megatron eavesdropped on a conversation between Sentinel and Optimus. Sentinel claimed Optimus was also a Prime, and intended to make him the new ruler of Cybertron. Optimus refused, unable to accept he was a Prime and somehow superior to his comrades. The next day, Megatron grumbled to Shockwave that if he were Optimus, he would have accepted Sentinel's offer. They came across a [[Driller]] attacking a [[hatchling]] field trip, and successfully shot the creature to pieces. Megatron asked for the name of the Cybertronian who volunteered the guard the hatchlings: his name was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].

Three days later at the capital city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]], Sentinel Prime officially declared Cybertron's unification, and announced the planet would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]], and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} For two generations, Optimus and Megatron ruled Cybertron successfully, creating a balance of fair and firm leadership. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} When [[Malcontent]] activity increased on Cybertron, Megatron met with Optimus and requested supreme authority in protecting the planet. Optimus obliged. Megatron then requested to be called [[Lord High Protector]] and to be addressed as "sir". {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

After Commander Starscream returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], Optimus was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near [[Simfur Temple]] and the unusual pulse waves that the AllSpark had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in Trypticon. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would truly make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} He ordered the execution of the "false" Primes — though he knew Sentinel and Optimus were Primes, he needed to give his followers a villain. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

Ironhide led an attack on Simfur Temple. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Megatron stood at the gate and slaughtered many Autobots as Elita-One and [[Chromia (ROTF)|her]] [[Arcee (Movie)|sisters]] used the AllSpark to activate a "torch" made by Sentinel. Optimus finally appeared to fend off Megatron and ensure Elita-One escaped to give Sentinel the torch. Sentinel boarded the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]] with the torch to retrieve Optimus from Simfur, but to both Optimus and Megatron's horror, Starscream attacked the Ark, destroying it. The Autobots fled, but Megatron correctly deduced Optimus would return with a vengeance. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} From his [[Lord High Protector citadel|citadel]], Megatron watched as Optimus and Ironhide battled their way through his defenses. When Optimus finally entered the tower, he found Megatron covered in hatchlings and daring him to kill them with him, gloating that Optimus would never go far enough. Optimus revealed he didn't: it had all been a distraction as Wheeljack, Chromia and Arcee stole the AllSpark aboard a second [[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]. With the AllSpark removed from Sentinel's device, the sun it held in place disappeared. Optimus escaped, rescuing Ironhide from Starscream and Shockwave while leaving Megatron to free himself of his hungry hatchlings. Megatron swore he would recover the AllSpark, and that if he would have to travel across the entire universe to do so, he would kill every Autobot. {{storylink|Foundation|Foundation #1-4}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his again, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|"I HAVE WALKED INTO THIS!"]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Sspanish)

{{cleanup|July 2011|}}

{{spoiler|Dark of the Moon (film)|when=July 29, 2011}}

[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Got these chains on me And they're draggin' me down Got these chains on me Hear that clankin' sound?'']]

Three years after Operation: Firestorm and the death of the Fallen, Megatron hid out in the plains of Namibia, Africa. There, he sat on his throne of junk with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command.

After [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream traveled to Washington D.C., where Megatron outlined his scheme to his second-in-command. Apparently, Sentinel was supposed to rendevous with Megatron there on Earth, but the circumstances caused them both to be deactivated. However, Megatron had a contingency plan: since they already had the pillars on the moon and Optimus had the Matrix, he merely needed Optimus to revive Sentinel to activate the pillars. And so arrived that moment, and Megatron blasted President Lincoln off his stone throne, and used the remains as a seat, where he declared "Here we are. Fight us NOW."

Soon, they traveled to Chicago, Illinois, where Sentinel and Megatron planned to start their global takeover. After Megatron stated that this was the world that he promised, that this way Cybertron would be restored, Sentinel randomly attacked Megatron, saying that while he would work ''with'' him, he would never work ''for'' him (even though Megatron stated that ''they'', as in both of them, would work together to rebuild Cybertron, but...).

Megatron was unable to forsee that Sentinel would betray him as well, who took control of the Decepticon forces stationed there. The Decepticon leader lay in another throne of junk, sulking. That is, until he was goaded by [[Carly Spencer]], a human, to return to battle and kill Sentinel for ursurping him. And that is what he came close to doing: he intervened in the battle between Optimus and Sentinel, and severely wounded Sentinel. 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. Thinking that he was dead, Megatron decided to make a truce with Optimus, as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces saying "After all, what would you be without me, Prime?" Optimus declared that they would find out, and gripped Megatron's head, tearing it off his body. He then used his nemesis's fusion shotgun to end Sentinel's life once and for all.
{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]]

Three years after the battle at the pyramids, Megatron had retreated to a Decepticon base in an unknown missle silo, along with some hatchlings which hs stored among the silo's corridors. From there, he commanded Decepticon forces to attack key junctions in the UN's informations network in order to provide a cover for reviving their ally in Russia. The Decepticons were able to hide themselves from the Autobots for quite some time. He secretly listened in to Autobot transmissions thanks to his Communications Officer [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]].

Due to the scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)| Bumblebee's]] downloading of a virus in Soundwave's system, Megatron's communications were slightly crippled. This did not stop his plans however. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was able to launch a device to the moon.
Commanding Soundwave to land on Earth, he entrusted him to finding and destroying a former Sector 7 base which had vital information concerning their frozen Russian ally, along with their moon operation. Soundwave (along with his partner Laserbeak) succeeded in destroying the base. He then ordered Starscream to destroy a shipment of MechTech weaponry by the humans, led by [[Stratosphere]]. Starscream destroyed the large Autobot, but not before grabbing a piece of MechTech. When Starscream returned with this weaponry, Megatron chided Starscream, knowing all too well that the Autobots may have planted a beacon in their weapons, and proceded to drain Starscream's spark, but was interrupted by Soundwave announcing they are under attack.

Megatron easily dispatched of the Autobots invading his base, with many of his fellow Decepticon soldiers falling in battle. He later encountered Warpath, though that battle was not much of a stretch. He absorbed chunks of plutonium from the (partly) launching missiles he found, gaining more energy along the way and getting enough power to summon hatchlings from their eggs. He soon was able to scan a new vehicle form, and assumed it to traverse through the tunnels of the silo more efficiently. Soon enough, he encountered Optimus Prime himself, who appeared with a new trailer and a jetpack upgrade. Even with these upgrades, however, he was unable to defeat the Decepticon leader, who thrust him into an icy chamber to freeze. He then jumpstarted the thawing process to revive his Decepticon assassin, [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. Megatron then retreated from the burning base and to somewhere in Nambia, Africa. Regrouping with Soundwave, Starscream, and Shockwave, he ordered his assassin to find a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, and then announced that his plans were far from crippled....and that Operation: Pillar was unstoppable. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name—imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-Man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.
*In the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', it states Megatron possesses an internal self-regenerating dark matter power core which is possibly of alien origin. If this means anything to future media is anyone's guess.
*His weatherbeaten Mack tanker truck mode and Cybertronian sawed-off shotgun as seen in ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' are fairly straightforward nods to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_2 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior].
*Early concepts for his ''Dark of the Moon'' design called him Cyclonus in an attempt to curb leaks and spread misinformation.
*Megatron's story was altered significantly twice during development of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'': the climax of the second film would have revealed Megatron served The Fallen under the pretense of becoming a Prime, which Optimus exposes a lie, explaining Primes are born, not made. An angered Megatron refused to aid The Fallen in his final battle, and returned to the ''Nemesis'' via The Fallen's space bridge to raise an army of hatchlings. In the film he is removed from the battle by having Optimus disfigure him with his own cannon, forcing him to hide as a truck in Africa. Megatron would have survived ''Dark of the Moon'', with Optimus accepting the truce after helping kill Sentinel, with Megatron returning to Cybertron and leaving the possibility open to a fourth film. On screen, Megatron's offer comes across as less than sincere, allowing Optimus to finally tear his head off.
*Although Megatron uses [[Death-lock pincer|Fusion Cannon]] in both previous films, in ''Dark of the Moon'' Megatron's weapon changes to a Fusion Shotgun.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decepticon starships]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie starships]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-07-23T09:54:55Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Main cast */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/1ef99019addbf7f207595f5da129bfb6-690.php 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 ''[[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|We will kill them all.|<s>Michael Bay</s> Optimus Prime|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}

==Synopsis==
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'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]]. On a mission to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]], a NEST team led by [[William Lennox|Lt. Col. Lennox]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] 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 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.

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.

Subsequently, 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. Arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime reveals that he had made a deal with Megatron, knowing that the Autobots could never win the war. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and several NEST soldiers, Sentinel Prime 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 Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

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 (ROTF)|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 (Movie)|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''.

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. 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's "pet", the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using wingsuits, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobots' inventor [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to take prisoners and kill them all. 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. While NEST and the Autobots fight the Decepticons and kill most of them, Optimus Prime topples over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

A fight between Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime ensues, during which Optimus loses an arm, with Sentinel gaining the upper hand. Carly, who has been freed by Sam in the meantime, stumbles across Megatron, who is still suffering from the wounds Optimus Prime had inflicted upon him during their [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|battle in Egypt]], 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 Prime is alive. Infuriated, he intervenes in the battle and turns on Sentinel, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule, and severely damages him. 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. 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. Megatron offers Optimus Prime a truce as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces, but Optimus ignores his plea and splits Megatron's head with an axe. Subsequently, he uses Megatron's shotgun cannon to kill a weakened Sentinel Prime, who is trying to excuse his actions.

Believing their home planet to be destroyed for good, the remaining Autobots accept Earth as their new home.

Seymour Simmons uses the opportunity to kiss Charlotte Mearing, for whom he still has feelings. Mearing responds by having him arrested.

==Quotes==
'''Mearing''': "What is this, the silent treatment?" 
'''Ironhide''': "No, I've seen that. This is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''."
:—NEST discusses Optimus Prime's foul mood.

'''Simmons''': Don't worry, I speak their language. <Doorman opens sliding hatch> Do svidaniya. 
'''Doorman''': 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.

"Here we are. Fight us ''now''."
:—'''Megatron''', pulling the evil overlord cliche on us while sitting atop the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]

"The Decepticons have my trailer. I ''need'' that flight tech!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', [[To sell toys|selling toys]].

"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. For I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to the universe: We are here. We are home."
:—'''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]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[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]])
*[[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]])
*[[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/>

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

|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)

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

==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/dark 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.
* 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, Prypiat'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://www.flickr.com/photos/nubber/544337347/ Photo of the Prypiat 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 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.
* In a 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.
* Despite being stuck in the Ark for years and not yet having scanned a vehicle mode Sentinel Prime has [[kibble]] from his Rosenbauer fire truck alternate mode when he is first seen.
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his license plate from the [[Transformers (2007)|first movie]], "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, but doesn't have a license plate in vehicle mode.
* Speaking of inconsistency 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.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (subgroup)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force.
* 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 before arriving in Chicago, and has yet another outfit the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' it's said that nine of them are leaving. 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.
* Throughout the sequence of Barricade kicking and shoving Que along before executing him, he is speaking with Soundwave's voice.

==Transformers references==

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

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

* 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 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 [[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 well-regarded 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 popular Generation 1 cartoon multi-part episode, "[[Megatron's Master Plan]]."

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

==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{{m-}}who voices Sentinel Prime. They comment that it is "the one where Spock goes nuts," which foreshadows Sentinel's heel turn.

* 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 may be 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.

==Other editions==

==Prequel material==

==Adaptations==

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

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

==Home video releases==

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image: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 movie 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.) As of July 19, 2011, ''Dark of the Moon'' has earned over $308.7 million domestically, and over $782.7 million worldwide.<ref name="bomdotm">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers3.htm ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''] at Box Office Mojo.</ref>

==Production staff==
===Visual effects===
===Locations department===

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (2007)|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 ''[[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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/0fd64fd57c9b9b6d33e15c76a46dae48-565.php 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/blog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php 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)|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and is married to Michael Bay's cousin Susan, had previously been under consideration for [[The Fallen]]'s voice in ''[[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>

===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 were [[Chicago]], 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"/>

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://articlles.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> 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://movies.ign.com/articles/118/1180411p1.html "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 serve as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a police car. Nobody was seriously injured this time.<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>

''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 US 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 ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]]) and a Mercedes-Benz E550 ([[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]). Both robots sport names in the movie 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]].

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]], [[Wikipedia:CNN|CNN]], [[Wikipedia: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 [[Wikipedia:Nokia|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).

*In January 2010, 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 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 [[Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and the [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|comic adaptation]].

* 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 [[Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon''. 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 brief shot). 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. Graffitis 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]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "Colossus" for the [[Driller]]<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref>, "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[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".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]

* 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"/>

* 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's official Transformers website identifies the dog as "[[Steeljaw (DOTM)|Steeljaw]]".<ref name="vectorsigma">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] Hasbro.com.</ref>

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at 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.
{{-}}

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[Image:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|300px|right|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 [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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>

[[Image:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|300px|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 [[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 ''[[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 [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered on [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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=mIuqiepu4UY 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 (2007)|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's ship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', had made an appearance in ''[[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.
** 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. Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. (To be fair, he dropped his cannons during the final battle in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has an ordinary handheld shotgun. (then again his arm that turned into his Fusion cannon was ripped off by Prime in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) The only ones who still seem to have the same converting arm cannons as in the previous movies are Bumblebee and Ratchet.

* [[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/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido Mūn'')
*''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'''''
*''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'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''變形金剛3：黑月降臨'''''

==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]

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

Megatron (Movie)

2011-07-19T20:55:38Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

'''Megatron''' was not always the viciously powerful and brutally direct leader of the Decepticons: he was once brothers-in-arms with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and a student of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]], appointed to be Cybertron's [[Lord High Protector|Protector]] and commander of its [[Defense Force]]. But Megatron resented his comrade, knowing he was a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and therefore Sentinel's favored son. This anger allowed [[The Fallen]] to ensnare him and led to the revival of the Decepticons. Even without The Fallen though, it's not hard to imagine Megatron would have erupted Cybertron into war to rid himself of Optimus.

Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have chased after the [[AllSpark]] alone, and spent centuries entombed in the [[Arctic]]. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Like his master, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards [[human]]s and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the dark age of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the fall of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], Megatron became a follower of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]. Sentinel recovered the [[AllSpark]], and planned to transport a sun to repower it and the rest of Cybertron. The [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacon]]s, who believed Sentinel to be a mad heretic, launched an attack on the AllSpark's facility. Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] fended off the Thetacons when Sentinel and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] successfully transported a star to Cybertron. The Thetacons laid down their arms, but Megatron resented that so many of his comrades had died before Cybertron's new dawn, and it was only by Optimus's persuasion that Megatron found it within himself to forgive his enemies and shake the Thetacon [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s hand. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}

That evening, Megatron eavesdropped on a conversation between Sentinel and Optimus. Sentinel claimed Optimus was also a Prime, and intended to make him the new ruler of Cybertron. Optimus refused, unable to accept he was a Prime and somehow superior to his comrades. The next day, Megatron grumbled to Shockwave that if he were Optimus, he would have accepted Sentinel's offer. They came across a [[Driller]] attacking a [[hatchling]] field trip, and successfully shot the creature to pieces. Megatron asked for the name of the Cybertronian who volunteered the guard the hatchlings: his name was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].

Three days later at the capital city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]], Sentinel Prime officially declared Cybertron's unification, and announced the planet would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]], and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} For two generations, Optimus and Megatron ruled Cybertron successfully, creating a balance of fair and firm leadership. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} When [[Malcontent]] activity increased on Cybertron, Megatron met with Optimus and requested supreme authority in protecting the planet. Optimus obliged. Megatron then requested to be called [[Lord High Protector]] and to be addressed as "sir". {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

After Commander Starscream returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], Optimus was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near [[Simfur Temple]] and the unusual pulse waves that the AllSpark had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in Trypticon. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would truly make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} He ordered the execution of the "false" Primes — though he knew Sentinel and Optimus were Primes, he needed to give his followers a villain. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

Ironhide led an attack on Simfur Temple. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Megatron stood at the gate and slaughtered many Autobots as Elita-One and [[Chromia (ROTF)|her]] [[Arcee (Movie)|sisters]] used the AllSpark to activate a "torch" made by Sentinel. Optimus finally appeared to fend off Megatron and ensure Elita-One escaped to give Sentinel the torch. Sentinel boarded the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]] with the torch to retrieve Optimus from Simfur, but to both Optimus and Megatron's horror, Starscream attacked the Ark, destroying it. The Autobots fled, but Megatron correctly deduced Optimus would return with a vengeance. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} From his [[Lord High Protector citadel|citadel]], Megatron watched as Optimus and Ironhide battled their way through his defenses. When Optimus finally entered the tower, he found Megatron covered in hatchlings and daring him to kill them with him, gloating that Optimus would never go far enough. Optimus revealed he didn't: it had all been a distraction as Wheeljack, Chromia and Arcee stole the AllSpark aboard a second [[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]. With the AllSpark removed from Sentinel's device, the sun it held in place disappeared. Optimus escaped, rescuing Ironhide from Starscream and Shockwave while leaving Megatron to free himself of his hungry hatchlings. Megatron swore he would recover the AllSpark, and that if he would have to travel across the entire universe to do so, he would kill every Autobot. {{storylink|Foundation|Foundation #1-4}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his again, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|"I HAVE WALKED INTO THIS!"]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Sspanish)

{{cleanup|July 2011|}}

{{spoiler|Dark of the Moon (film)|when=July 29, 2011}}

[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Got these chains on me And they're draggin' me down Got these chains on me Hear that clankin' sound?'']]

Three years after Operation: Firestorm and the death of the Fallen, Megatron hid out in the plains of Namibia, Africa. There, he sat on his throne of junk with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command.

After [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream traveled to Washington D.C., where Megatron outlined his scheme to his second-in-command. Apparently, Sentinel was supposed to rendevous with Megatron there on Earth, but the circumstances caused them both to be deactivated. However, Megatron had a contingency plan: since they already had the pillars on the moon and Optimus had the Matrix, he merely needed Optimus to revive Sentinel to activate the pillars. And so arrived that moment, and Megatron blasted President Lincoln off his stone throne, and used the remains as a seat, where he declared "Here we are. Fight us NOW."

Soon, they traveled to Chicago, Illinois, where Sentinel and Megatron planned to start their global takeover. After Megatron stated that this was the world that he promised, that this way Cybertron would be restored, Sentinel randomly attacked Megatron, saying that while he would work ''with'' him, he would never work ''for'' him (even though Megatron stated that ''they'', as in both of them, would work together to rebuild Cybertron, but...).

Megatron was unable to forsee that Sentinel would betray him as well, who took control of the Decepticon forces stationed there. The Decepticon leader lay in another throne of junk, sulking. That is, until he was goaded by [[Carly Spencer]], a human, to return to battle and kill Sentinel for ursurping him. And that is what he came close to doing: he intervened in the battle between Optimus and Sentinel, and severely wounded Sentinel. 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. Thinking that he was dead, Megatron decided to make a truce with Optimus, as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces saying "After all, what would you be without me, Prime?" Optimus declared that they would find out, and gripped Megatron's head, tearing it off his body. He then used his nemesis's fusion shotgun to end Sentinel's life once and for all.
{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]]

Three years after the battle at the pyramids, Megatron had retreated to a Decepticon base in an unknown missle silo, along with some hatchlings which hs stored among the silo's corridors. From there, he commanded Decepticon forces to attack key junctions in the UN's informations network in order to provide a cover for reviving their ally in Russia. The Decepticons were able to hide themselves from the Autobots for quite some time. He secretly listened in to Autobot transmissions thanks to his Communications Officer [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]].

Due to the scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)| Bumblebee's]] downloading of a virus in Soundwave's system, Megatron's communications were slightly crippled. This did not stop his plans however. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was able to launch a device to the moon.
Commanding Soundwave to land on Earth, he entrusted him to finding and destroying a former Sector 7 base which had vital information concerning their frozen Russian ally, along with their moon operation. Soundwave (along with his partner Laserbeak) succeeded in destroying the base. He then ordered Starscream to destroy a shipment of MechTech weaponry by the humans, led by [[Stratosphere]]. Starscream destroyed the large Autobot, but not before grabbing a piece of MechTech. When Starscream returned with this weaponry, Megatron chided Starscream, knowing all too well that the Autobots may have planted a beacon in their weapons, and proceded to drain Starscream's spark, but was interrupted by Soundwave announcing they are under attack.

Megatron easily dispatched of the Autobots invading his base, with many of his fellow Decepticon soldiers falling in battle. He later encountered Warpath, though that battle was not much of a stretch. He absorbed chunks of plutonium from the (partly) launching missiles he found, gaining more energy along the way and getting enough power to summon hatchlings from their eggs. He soon was able to scan a new vehicle form, and assumed it to traverse through the tunnels of the silo more efficiently. Soon enough, he encountered Optimus Prime himself, who appeared with a new trailer and a jetpack upgrade. Even with these upgrades, however, he was unable to defeat the Decepticon leader, who thrust him into an icy chamber to freeze. He then jumpstarted the thawing process to revive his Decepticon assassin, [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. Megatron then retreated from the burning base and to somewhere in Nambia, Africa. Regrouping with Soundwave, Starscream, and Shockwave, he ordered his assassin to find a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, and then announced that his plans were far from crippled....and that Operation: Pillar was unstoppable. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name—imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-Man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.
*In the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', it states Megatron possesses an internal self-regenerating dark matter power core which is possibly of alien origin. If this means anything to future media is anyone's guess.
*His weatherbeaten Mack tanker truck mode and Cybertronian sawed-off shotgun as seen in ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' are fairly straightforward nods to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_2 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior].
*Megatron has the honor of being the only character that assumes different alternate modes in each film- a Cybertronic jet in the first, a flying tank in the second, and a Mack tanker truck in the third.
*Early concepts for his ''Dark of the Moon'' design called him Cyclonus in an attempt to curb leaks and spread misinformation.
*Megatron's story was altered significantly twice during development of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'': the climax of the second film would have revealed Megatron served The Fallen under the pretense of becoming a Prime, which Optimus exposes a lie, explaining Primes are born, not made. An angered Megatron refused to aid The Fallen in his final battle, and returned to the ''Nemesis'' via The Fallen's space bridge to raise an army of hatchlings. In the film he is removed from the battle by having Optimus disfigure him with his own cannon, forcing him to hide as a truck in Africa. Megatron would have survived ''Dark of the Moon'', with Optimus accepting the truce after helping kill Sentinel, with Megatron returning to Cybertron and leaving the possibility open to a fourth film. On screen, Megatron's offer comes across as less than sincere, allowing Optimus to finally tear his head off.
*Although Megatron uses [[Death-lock pincer|Fusion Cannon]] in both previous films, in ''Dark of the Moon'' Megatron's weapon changes to a Fusion Shotgun.

*In Dark of the Moon, Megatron is noticeably less aggressive, and underwent a very strange mood swing when Cybertron is brought to Earth. He simply sat in an alley way, avoiding the final battle to intently watch Cybertron teleport into Earth's atmosphere. He does not attempt to harm Carly as she crawls up next to him, only asking her in a half-menacing tone "Have you come to surrender?". Megatron is only angred after Carly calls him Sentinel Prime's "b*tch".
*Previously, Megatron would have been at the center of any major battle and would have slain any human that came within range of his weaponry. And he certainly wouldn't have offered Optimus Prime a truce.
*His change in mood and lack of action may have been due to the fact that he was severely weakened and his head had been damaged.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decepticon starships]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie starships]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-07-17T17:08:03Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Synopsis */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/1ef99019addbf7f207595f5da129bfb6-690.php 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 ''[[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|We will kill them all.|<s>Michael Bay</s> Optimus Prime|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}

==Synopsis==
In the distant past, during the latter days of the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] civil war, [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] struck a secret deal with [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. Leaving the planet with groundbreaking [[space bridge]] technology on board the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'', he was planning to meet up with Megatron. However, his ship was shot down by the Decepticons and, after being sent hurling through space for a while, eventually crashed on the 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]]. On a mission to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]], a NEST team led by [[William Lennox|Lt. Col. Lennox]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] 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 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.

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.

Subsequently, 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. Arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime reveals that he had made a deal with Megatron, knowing that the Autobots could never win the war. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and several NEST soldiers, Sentinel Prime 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 Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

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 (ROTF)|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 (Movie)|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''.

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. 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's "pet", the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using wingsuits, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobots' inventor [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to take prisoners and kill them all. 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. While NEST and the Autobots fight the Decepticons and kill most of them, Optimus Prime topples over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

A fight between Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime ensues, during which Optimus loses an arm, with Sentinel gaining the upper hand. Carly, who has been freed by Sam in the meantime, stumbles across Megatron, who is still suffering from the wounds Optimus Prime had inflicted upon him during their [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|battle in Egypt]], 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 Prime is alive. Infuriated, he intervenes in the battle and turns on Sentinel, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule, and severely damages him. 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. 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. Megatron offers Optimus Prime a truce as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces, but Optimus ignores his plea and splits Megatron's head with an axe. Subsequently, he uses Megatron's shotgun cannon to kill a weakened Sentinel Prime, who is trying to excuse his actions.

Believing their home planet to be destroyed for good, the remaining Autobots accept Earth as their new home.

Seymour Simmons uses the opportunity to kiss Charlotte Mearing, for whom he still has feelings. Mearing responds by having him arrested.

==Quotes==
'''Mearing''': "What is this, the silent treatment?" 
'''Ironhide''': "No, I've seen that. This is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''."
:—NEST discusses Optimus Prime's foul mood.

"Here we are. Fight us ''now''."
:—'''Megatron''', pulling the evil overlord cliche on us while sitting atop the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]

'''Simmons''': Don't worry, I speak their language. <Doorman opens sliding hatch> Do svidaniya. 
'''Doorman''': 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.

"The Decepticons have my trailer. I ''need'' that flight tech!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', [[To sell toys|selling toys]].

"This is my planet!!!!"
:—'''Megatron''' as he is fighting Sentinel Prime"

"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. For I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to the universe: We are here. We are home."
:—'''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]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[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]])
*[[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]])
*[[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/>

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

|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)

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

==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/dark 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.
* 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, Prypiat'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://www.flickr.com/photos/nubber/544337347/ Photo of the Prypiat 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 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.
* In a 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.
* Despite being stuck in the Ark for years and not yet having scanned a vehicle mode Sentinel Prime has [[kibble]] from his Rosenbauer fire truck alternate mode when he is first seen.
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his license plate from the [[Transformers (2007)|first movie]], "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, but doesn't have a license plate in vehicle mode.
* Speaking of inconsistency 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.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (subgroup)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force.
* 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 before arriving in Chicago, and has yet another outfit the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' it's said that nine of them are leaving. 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.
* Throughout the sequence of Barricade kicking and shoving Que along before executing him, he is speaking with Soundwave's voice.

==Transformers references==

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

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

* 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 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 [[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 well-regarded 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 popular Generation 1 cartoon multi-part episode, "[[Megatron's Master Plan]]."

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

==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{{m-}}who voices Sentinel Prime. They comment that it is "the one where Spock goes nuts," which foreshadows Sentinel's heel turn.

* 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 may be 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.

==Other editions==

==Prequel material==

==Adaptations==

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

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

==Home video releases==

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image: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 movie 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.) As of July 14, 2011, ''Dark of the Moon'' has earned $281 million domestically, and over $705 million worldwide.<ref name="bomdotm">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers3.htm ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''] at Box Office Mojo.</ref>

==Production staff==
===Visual effects===
===Locations department===

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (2007)|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 ''[[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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/0fd64fd57c9b9b6d33e15c76a46dae48-565.php 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/blog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php 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)|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and is married to Michael Bay's cousin Susan, had previously been under consideration for [[The Fallen]]'s voice in ''[[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>

===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 were [[Chicago]], 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"/>

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://articlles.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> 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://movies.ign.com/articles/118/1180411p1.html "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 serve as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a police car. Nobody was seriously injured this time.<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>

''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>

==== US military ====
Like the previous two movies, ''Dark of the Moon'' featured real military personnel as extras, supported by the US 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>

==== 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 ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]]) and a Mercedes-Benz E550 ([[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]). Both robots sport names in the movie 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]].

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]], [[Wikipedia:CNN|CNN]], [[Wikipedia: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 [[Wikipedia:Nokia|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).

*In January 2010, 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 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 [[Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and the [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|comic adaptation]].

* 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 [[Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon''. 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 brief shot). 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. Graffitis 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]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "Colossus" for the [[Driller]]<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref>, "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[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".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]

* 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"/>

* 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's official Transformers website identifies the dog as "[[Steeljaw (DOTM)|Steeljaw]]".<ref name="vectorsigma">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] Hasbro.com.</ref>

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at 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.

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[Image:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|300px|right|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 [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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>

[[Image:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|300px|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 [[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 ''[[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 [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered on [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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=mIuqiepu4UY 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 (2007)|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's ship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', had made an appearance in ''[[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.
** 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. Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. (To be fair, he dropped his cannons during the final battle in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has an ordinary handheld shotgun. The only one who still seems to have the same converting arm cannon as in the previous two movies is Bumblebee.

* [[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/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido Mūn'')
*''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'''''
*''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'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''變形金剛3：黑月降臨'''''

==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]

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

Megatron (Movie)

2011-07-17T17:07:06Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Dark of the Moon film */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

'''Megatron''' was not always the viciously powerful and brutally direct leader of the Decepticons: he was once brothers-in-arms with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and a student of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]], appointed to be Cybertron's [[Lord High Protector|Protector]] and commander of its [[Defense Force]]. But Megatron resented his comrade, knowing he was a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and therefore Sentinel's favored son. This anger allowed [[The Fallen]] to ensnare him and led to the revival of the Decepticons. Even without The Fallen though, it's not hard to imagine Megatron would have erupted Cybertron into war to rid himself of Optimus.

Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have chased after the [[AllSpark]] alone, and spent centuries entombed in the [[Arctic]]. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Like his master, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards [[human]]s and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the dark age of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the fall of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], Megatron became a follower of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]. Sentinel recovered the [[AllSpark]], and planned to transport a sun to repower it and the rest of Cybertron. The [[Thetacon (tribe)|Thetacon]]s, who believed Sentinel to be a mad heretic, launched an attack on the AllSpark's facility. Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] fended off the Thetacons when Sentinel and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] successfully transported a star to Cybertron. The Thetacons laid down their arms, but Megatron resented that so many of his comrades had died before Cybertron's new dawn, and it was only by Optimus's persuasion that Megatron found it within himself to forgive his enemies and shake the Thetacon [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s hand. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}

That evening, Megatron eavesdropped on a conversation between Sentinel and Optimus. Sentinel claimed Optimus was also a Prime, and intended to make him the new ruler of Cybertron. Optimus refused, unable to accept he was a Prime and somehow superior to his comrades. The next day, Megatron grumbled to Shockwave that if he were Optimus, he would have accepted Sentinel's offer. They came across a [[Driller]] attacking a [[hatchling]] field trip, and successfully shot the creature to pieces. Megatron asked for the name of the Cybertronian who volunteered the guard the hatchlings: his name was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].

Three days later at the capital city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]], Sentinel Prime officially declared Cybertron's unification, and announced the planet would be governed by Optimus's [[Science Division]], and Megatron's [[Defense Force]]. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} For two generations, Optimus and Megatron ruled Cybertron successfully, creating a balance of fair and firm leadership. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} When [[Malcontent]] activity increased on Cybertron, Megatron met with Optimus and requested supreme authority in protecting the planet. Optimus obliged. Megatron then requested to be called [[Lord High Protector]] and to be addressed as "sir". {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

After Commander Starscream returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], Optimus was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near [[Simfur Temple]] and the unusual pulse waves that the AllSpark had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in Trypticon. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would truly make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} He ordered the execution of the "false" Primes — though he knew Sentinel and Optimus were Primes, he needed to give his followers a villain. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

Ironhide led an attack on Simfur Temple. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} Megatron stood at the gate and slaughtered many Autobots as Elita-One and [[Chromia (ROTF)|her]] [[Arcee (Movie)|sisters]] used the AllSpark to activate a "torch" made by Sentinel. Optimus finally appeared to fend off Megatron and ensure Elita-One escaped to give Sentinel the torch. Sentinel boarded the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]] with the torch to retrieve Optimus from Simfur, but to both Optimus and Megatron's horror, Starscream attacked the Ark, destroying it. The Autobots fled, but Megatron correctly deduced Optimus would return with a vengeance. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} From his [[Lord High Protector citadel|citadel]], Megatron watched as Optimus and Ironhide battled their way through his defenses. When Optimus finally entered the tower, he found Megatron covered in hatchlings and daring him to kill them with him, gloating that Optimus would never go far enough. Optimus revealed he didn't: it had all been a distraction as Wheeljack, Chromia and Arcee stole the AllSpark aboard a second [[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]. With the AllSpark removed from Sentinel's device, the sun it held in place disappeared. Optimus escaped, rescuing Ironhide from Starscream and Shockwave while leaving Megatron to free himself of his hungry hatchlings. Megatron swore he would recover the AllSpark, and that if he would have to travel across the entire universe to do so, he would kill every Autobot. {{storylink|Foundation|Foundation #1-4}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his again, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|"I HAVE WALKED INTO THIS!"]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Vine|Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Sspanish)

{{cleanup|July 2011|}}

{{spoiler|Dark of the Moon (film)|when=July 29, 2011}}

[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Got these chains on me And they're draggin' me down Got these chains on me Hear that clankin' sound?'']]

Three years after Operation: Firestorm and the death of the Fallen, Megatron hid out in the plains of Namibia, Africa. There, he sat on his throne of junk with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command.

After [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream traveled to Washington D.C., where Megatron outlined his scheme to his second-in-command. Apparently, Sentinel was supposed to rendevous with Megatron there on Earth, but the circumstances caused them both to be deactivated. However, Megatron had a contingency plan: since they already had the pillars on the moon and Optimus had the Matrix, he merely needed Optimus to revive Sentinel to activate the pillars. And so arrived that moment, and Megatron blasted President Lincoln off his stone throne, and used the remains as a seat, where he declared "Here we are. Fight us NOW."

Soon, they traveled to Chicago, Illinois, where Sentinel and Megatron planned to start their global takeover. After Megatron stated that this was the world that he promised, that this way Cybertron would be restored, Sentinel randomly attacked Megatron, saying that while he would work ''with'' him, he would never work ''for'' him (even though Megatron stated that ''they'', as in both of them, would work together to rebuild Cybertron, but...).

Megatron was unable to forsee that Sentinel would betray him as well, who took control of the Decepticon forces stationed there. The Decepticon leader lay in another throne of junk, sulking. That is, until he was goaded by [[Carly Spencer]], a human, to return to battle and kill Sentinel for ursurping him. And that is what he came close to doing: he intervened in the battle between Optimus and Sentinel, and severely wounded Sentinel. 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. Thinking that he was dead, Megatron decided to make a truce with Optimus, as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces saying "After all, what would you be without me, Prime?" Optimus declared that they would find out, and gripped Megatron's head, tearing it off his body. He then used his nemesis's fusion shotgun to end Sentinel's life once and for all.
{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]]

Three years after the battle at the pyramids, Megatron had retreated to a Decepticon base in an unknown missle silo, along with some hatchlings which hs stored among the silo's corridors. From there, he commanded Decepticon forces to attack key junctions in the UN's informations network in order to provide a cover for reviving their ally in Russia. The Decepticons were able to hide themselves from the Autobots for quite some time. He secretly listened in to Autobot transmissions thanks to his Communications Officer [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]].

Due to the scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)| Bumblebee's]] downloading of a virus in Soundwave's system, Megatron's communications were slightly crippled. This did not stop his plans however. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was able to launch a device to the moon.
Commanding Soundwave to land on Earth, he entrusted him to finding and destroying a former Sector 7 base which had vital information concerning their frozen Russian ally, along with their moon operation. Soundwave (along with his partner Laserbeak) succeeded in destroying the base. He then ordered Starscream to destroy a shipment of MechTech weaponry by the humans, led by [[Stratosphere]]. Starscream destroyed the large Autobot, but not before grabbing a piece of MechTech. When Starscream returned with this weaponry, Megatron chided Starscream, knowing all too well that the Autobots may have planted a beacon in their weapons, and proceded to drain Starscream's spark, but was interrupted by Soundwave announcing they are under attack.

Megatron easily dispatched of the Autobots invading his base, with many of his fellow Decepticon soldiers falling in battle. He later encountered Warpath, though that battle was not much of a stretch. He absorbed chunks of plutonium from the (partly) launching missiles he found, gaining more energy along the way and getting enough power to summon hatchlings from their eggs. He soon was able to scan a new vehicle form, and assumed it to traverse through the tunnels of the silo more efficiently. Soon enough, he encountered Optimus Prime himself, who appeared with a new trailer and a jetpack upgrade. Even with these upgrades, however, he was unable to defeat the Decepticon leader, who thrust him into an icy chamber to freeze. He then jumpstarted the thawing process to revive his Decepticon assassin, [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. Megatron then retreated from the burning base and to somewhere in Nambia, Africa. Regrouping with Soundwave, Starscream, and Shockwave, he ordered his assassin to find a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, and then announced that his plans were far from crippled....and that Operation: Pillar was unstoppable. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name—imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-Man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.
*In the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', it states Megatron possesses an internal self-regenerating dark matter power core which is possibly of alien origin. If this means anything to future media is anyone's guess.
*His weatherbeaten Mack tanker truck mode and Cybertronian sawed-off shotgun as seen in ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' are fairly straightforward nods to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_2 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior].
*Megatron has the honor of being the only character that assumes different alternate modes in each film- a Cybertronic jet in the first, a flying tank in the second, and a Mack tanker truck in the third.
*Early concepts for his ''Dark of the Moon'' design called him Cyclonus in an attempt to curb leaks and spread misinformation.
*Megatron's story was altered significantly twice during development of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'': the climax of the second film would have revealed Megatron served The Fallen under the pretense of becoming a Prime, which Optimus exposes a lie, explaining Primes are born, not made. An angered Megatron refused to aid The Fallen in his final battle, and returned to the ''Nemesis'' via The Fallen's space bridge to raise an army of hatchlings. In the film he is removed from the battle by having Optimus disfigure him with his own cannon, forcing him to hide as a truck in Africa. Megatron would have survived ''Dark of the Moon'', with Optimus accepting the truce after helping kill Sentinel, with Megatron returning to Cybertron and leaving the possibility open to a fourth film. On screen, Megatron's offer comes across as less than sincere, allowing Optimus to finally tear his head off.
*Although Megatron uses [[Death-lock pincer|Fusion Cannon]] in both previous films, in ''Dark of the Moon'' Megatron's weapon changes to a Fusion Shotgun.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decepticon starships]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie starships]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-07-17T17:04:59Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/1ef99019addbf7f207595f5da129bfb6-690.php 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 ''[[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|We will kill them all.|<s>Michael Bay</s> Optimus Prime|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}

==Synopsis==
In the distant past, during the latter days of the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] civil war, [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] struck a secret deal with [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. Leaving the planet with groundbreaking [[space bridge]] technology on board the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'', he was planning to meet up with Megatron. However, his ship was shot down by the Decepticons and, after being sent hurling through space for a while, eventually crashed on the 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]]. On a mission to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]], a NEST team led by [[William Lennox|Lt. Col. Lennox]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] 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 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.

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.

Subsequently, 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. Arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime reveals that he had made a deal with Megatron, knowing that the Autobots could never win the war. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and several NEST soldiers, Sentinel Prime 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 Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

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 (ROTF)|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 (Movie)|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''.

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. 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's "pet", the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using wingsuits, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobots' inventor [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to take prisoners and kill them all. 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. While NEST and the Autobots fight the Decepticons and kill most of them, Optimus Prime topples over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

A fight between Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime ensues, during which Optimus loses an arm, with Sentinel gaining the upper hand. Carly, who has been freed by Sam in the meantime, stumbles across Megatron, who is still suffering from the wounds Optimus Prime had inflicted upon him during their [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|battle in Egypt]], 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 Prime is alive. Infuriated, he intervenes in the battle and turns on Sentinel, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule, and severely damages him. 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. Megatron offers Optimus Prime a truce as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces, but Optimus ignores his plea and splits Megatron's head with an axe. Subsequently, he uses Megatron's shotgun cannon to kill a weakened Sentinel Prime, who is trying to excuse his actions.

Believing their home planet to be destroyed for good, the remaining Autobots accept Earth as their new home.

Seymour Simmons uses the opportunity to kiss Charlotte Mearing, for whom he still has feelings. Mearing responds by having him arrested.

==Quotes==
'''Mearing''': "What is this, the silent treatment?" 
'''Ironhide''': "No, I've seen that. This is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''."
:—NEST discusses Optimus Prime's foul mood.

"Here we are. Fight us ''now''."
:—'''Megatron''', pulling the evil overlord cliche on us while sitting atop the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]

'''Simmons''': Don't worry, I speak their language. <Doorman opens sliding hatch> Do svidaniya. 
'''Doorman''': 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.

"The Decepticons have my trailer. I ''need'' that flight tech!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', [[To sell toys|selling toys]].

"This is my planet!!!!"
:—'''Megatron''' as he is fighting Sentinel Prime"

"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. For I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to the universe: We are here. We are home."
:—'''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]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[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]])
*[[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]])
*[[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/>

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

|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)

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

==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/dark 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.
* 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, Prypiat'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://www.flickr.com/photos/nubber/544337347/ Photo of the Prypiat 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 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.
* In a 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.
* Despite being stuck in the Ark for years and not yet having scanned a vehicle mode Sentinel Prime has [[kibble]] from his Rosenbauer fire truck alternate mode when he is first seen.
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his license plate from the [[Transformers (2007)|first movie]], "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, but doesn't have a license plate in vehicle mode.
* Speaking of inconsistency 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.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (subgroup)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force.
* 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 before arriving in Chicago, and has yet another outfit the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' it's said that nine of them are leaving. 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.
* Throughout the sequence of Barricade kicking and shoving Que along before executing him, he is speaking with Soundwave's voice.

==Transformers references==

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

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

* 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 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 [[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 well-regarded 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 popular Generation 1 cartoon multi-part episode, "[[Megatron's Master Plan]]."

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

==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{{m-}}who voices Sentinel Prime. They comment that it is "the one where Spock goes nuts," which foreshadows Sentinel's heel turn.

* 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 may be 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.

==Other editions==

==Prequel material==

==Adaptations==

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

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

==Home video releases==

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image: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 movie 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.) As of July 14, 2011, ''Dark of the Moon'' has earned $281 million domestically, and over $705 million worldwide.<ref name="bomdotm">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers3.htm ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''] at Box Office Mojo.</ref>

==Production staff==
===Visual effects===
===Locations department===

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (2007)|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 ''[[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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/0fd64fd57c9b9b6d33e15c76a46dae48-565.php 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/blog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php 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)|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and is married to Michael Bay's cousin Susan, had previously been under consideration for [[The Fallen]]'s voice in ''[[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>

===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 were [[Chicago]], 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"/>

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://articlles.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> 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://movies.ign.com/articles/118/1180411p1.html "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 serve as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a police car. Nobody was seriously injured this time.<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>

''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>

==== US military ====
Like the previous two movies, ''Dark of the Moon'' featured real military personnel as extras, supported by the US 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>

==== 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 ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]]) and a Mercedes-Benz E550 ([[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]). Both robots sport names in the movie 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]].

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]], [[Wikipedia:CNN|CNN]], [[Wikipedia: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 [[Wikipedia:Nokia|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).

*In January 2010, 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 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 [[Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and the [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|comic adaptation]].

* 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 [[Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon''. 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 brief shot). 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. Graffitis 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]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "Colossus" for the [[Driller]]<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref>, "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[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".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]

* 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"/>

* 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's official Transformers website identifies the dog as "[[Steeljaw (DOTM)|Steeljaw]]".<ref name="vectorsigma">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] Hasbro.com.</ref>

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at 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.

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[Image:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|300px|right|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 [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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>

[[Image:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|300px|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 [[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 ''[[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 [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered on [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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=mIuqiepu4UY 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 (2007)|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's ship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', had made an appearance in ''[[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.
** 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. Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. (To be fair, he dropped his cannons during the final battle in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has an ordinary handheld shotgun. The only one who still seems to have the same converting arm cannon as in the previous two movies is Bumblebee.

* [[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/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido Mūn'')
*''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'''''
*''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'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''變形金剛3：黑月降臨'''''

==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]

[[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)

2011-07-17T10:43:47Z

Plo Koon 1:

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/1ef99019addbf7f207595f5da129bfb6-690.php 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 ''[[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|We will kill them all.|<s>Michael Bay</s> Optimus Prime|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}

==Synopsis==
In the distant past, during the latter days of the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] civil war, [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] struck a secret deal with [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. Leaving the planet with groundbreaking [[space bridge]] technology on board the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'', he was planning to meet up with Megatron. However, his ship was shot down by the Decepticons and, after being sent hurling through space for a while, eventually crashed on the 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]]. On a mission to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]], a NEST team led by [[William Lennox|Lt. Col. Lennox]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] 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 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.

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.

Subsequently, 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. Arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime reveals that he had made a deal with Megatron, knowing that the Autobots could never win the war. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and several NEST soldiers, Sentinel Prime 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 Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

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 (ROTF)|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 (Movie)|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''.

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. 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's "pet", the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using wingsuits, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobots' inventor [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to take prisoners and kill them all. 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. While NEST and the Autobots fight the Decepticons and kill most of them, Optimus Prime topples over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

A fight between Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime ensues, during which Optimus loses an arm, with Sentinel gaining the upper hand. Carly, who has been freed by Sam in the meantime, stumbles across Megatron, who is still suffering from the wounds Optimus Prime had inflicted upon him during their [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|battle in Egypt]], 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 Prime is alive. Infuriated, he intervenes in the battle and turns on Sentinel, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule, and severely damages him. 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. Megatron offers Optimus Prime a truce as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces, but Optimus ignores his plea and splits Megatron's head with an axe. Subsequently, he uses Megatron's shotgun cannon to kill a weakened Sentinel Prime, who is trying to excuse his actions.

Believing their home planet to be destroyed for good, the remaining Autobots accept Earth as their new home.

Seymour Simmons uses the opportunity to kiss Charlotte Mearing, for whom he still has feelings. Mearing responds by having him arrested.

==Quotes==
'''Mearing''': "What is this, the silent treatment?" 
'''Ironhide''': "No, I've seen that. This is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''."
:—NEST discusses Optimus Prime's foul mood.

"Here we are. Fight us ''now''."
:—'''Megatron''', pulling the evil overlord cliche on us while sitting atop the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]

'''Simmons''': Don't worry, I speak their language. <Doorman opens sliding hatch> Do svidaniya. 
'''Doorman''': 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.

"The Decepticons have my trailer. I ''need'' that flight tech!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', [[To sell toys|selling toys]].

"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. For I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to the universe: We are here. We are home."
:—'''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]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[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]])
*[[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]])
*[[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/>

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

|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)

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

==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/dark 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.
* 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, Prypiat'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://www.flickr.com/photos/nubber/544337347/ Photo of the Prypiat 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 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.
* In a 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.
* Despite being stuck in the Ark for years and not yet having scanned a vehicle mode Sentinel Prime has [[kibble]] from his Rosenbauer fire truck alternate mode when he is first seen.
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his license plate from the [[Transformers (2007)|first movie]], "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, but doesn't have a license plate in vehicle mode.
* Speaking of inconsistency 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.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (subgroup)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force.
* 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 before arriving in Chicago, and has yet another outfit the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' it's said that nine of them are leaving. 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.
* Throughout the sequence of Barricade kicking and shoving Que along before executing him, he is speaking with Soundwave's voice.

==Transformers references==

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

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

* 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 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 [[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 well-regarded 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 popular Generation 1 cartoon multi-part episode, "[[Megatron's Master Plan]]."

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

==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{{m-}}who voices Sentinel Prime. They comment that it is "the one where Spock goes nuts," which foreshadows Sentinel's heel turn.

* 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 may be 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.

==Other editions==

==Prequel material==

==Adaptations==

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

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

==Home video releases==

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image: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 movie 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.) As of July 14, 2011, ''Dark of the Moon'' has earned $281 million domestically, and over $705 million worldwide.<ref name="bomdotm">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers3.htm ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''] at Box Office Mojo.</ref>

==Production staff==
===Visual effects===
===Locations department===

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (2007)|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 ''[[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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/0fd64fd57c9b9b6d33e15c76a46dae48-565.php 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/blog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.php 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://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php 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)|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and is married to Michael Bay's cousin Susan, had previously been under consideration for [[The Fallen]]'s voice in ''[[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>

===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 were [[Chicago]], 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"/>

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://articlles.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> 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://movies.ign.com/articles/118/1180411p1.html "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 serve as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a police car. Nobody was seriously injured this time.<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>

''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>

==== US military ====
Like the previous two movies, ''Dark of the Moon'' featured real military personnel as extras, supported by the US 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>

==== 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 ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]]) and a Mercedes-Benz E550 ([[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]). Both robots sport names in the movie 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]].

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]], [[Wikipedia:CNN|CNN]], [[Wikipedia: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 [[Wikipedia:Nokia|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).

*In January 2010, 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 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 [[Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and the [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|comic adaptation]].

* 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 [[Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon''. 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 brief shot). 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. Graffitis 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]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "Colossus" for the [[Driller]]<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref>, "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[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".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]

* 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"/>

* 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's official Transformers website identifies the dog as "[[Steeljaw (DOTM)|Steeljaw]]".<ref name="vectorsigma">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] Hasbro.com.</ref>

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at 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.

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[Image:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|300px|right|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 [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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>

[[Image:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|300px|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 [[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 ''[[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 [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered on [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. 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=mIuqiepu4UY 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 (2007)|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's ship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', had made an appearance in ''[[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.
** 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. Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. (To be fair, he dropped his cannons during the final battle in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has an ordinary handheld shotgun. The only one who still seems to have the same converting arm cannon as in the previous two movies is Bumblebee.

* [[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/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido Mūn'')
*''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'''''
*''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'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''變形金剛3：黑月降臨'''''

==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]

[[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)

2011-06-25T19:07:23Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Posters */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It is scheduled to be released in 3D and IMAX at 9PM on [[June 28]], [[2011]]<ref name="open3D">[http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/1ef99019addbf7f207595f5da129bfb6-690.php]</ref> and in wide release on [[June 29]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/paramount-moving-up-transformers-3/]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

{{TOCclear}}

==Confirmed information==

[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]

*June 20, 2009 — [[Michael Bay]] will be returning to directing duties.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?p=92260#post92260</ref>

*October 1, 2009 — "Day One" of preproduction work. A story has apparently already been worked out. The day begins with a meeting between Bay and [[Industrial Light & Magic]] which is followed by Bay and writer [[Ehren Kruger]] flying to Rhode Island to meet with [[Hasbro]] about new characters. Bay confirms a proposed release date of July 1, 2011.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.html Michael Bay confirms the release date and "day one" of pre-production, posted on October 1, 2009]</ref>

*October 6, 2009 — [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] will not be returning to write the film. All writing duties have been given to Ehren Kruger.<ref>http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1403421#post1403421</ref>

*Michael Bay states on the video played at the end of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Blu-ray ''AllSpark Experiment'' game that the third film will go deeper into the Transformers' history (cue lots of [[Unicron]] imagery from ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'') and that it will have more screentime for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. But it does say in the message that he'll tell lies...

*January 5, 2010 — [[James Avery]] confirms he will be playing a new Autobot named Silverbolt. No word on if this is the same character as [[Silverbolt (ROTF)|ROTF Silverbolt]].<ref name="unscripted James Avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted]</ref>

*February 7, 2010 — [[Tony Todd]] said that he would be back in some capacity<ref>[http://denofgeek.com/movies/410537/tony_todd_interview_candyman_transformers_3_platoon_chuck_and_his_brand_new_projects.html Tony Todd interview at DenofGeek.com]</ref> On April 17, 2010, he hinted at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo 2010 that he will be playing a human character.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/tony-todd-to-play-a-human-in-transformers-3-169581/ Tony Todd To Play A Human In Transformers 3, TFW2005.com, April 27, 2010]</ref> However, on October 1,Todd stated that he is in fact not in ''Transformers'' 3.<ref>[http://screenrant.com/tony-todd-interview-hatchet-final-destination-robf-80905/2/ ScreenRant interviews Tony Todd, October 1, 2010.]</ref>

*March 2, 2010 — [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] are going to get updated/revised designs that in Bumblebee's case reflects his maturation.<ref>[http://scifiwire.com/2010/03/transformers-3s-optimus-b.php "Transformers 3's Optimus, Bumblebee getting makeovers" @ Sci-Fi Wire]</ref>

*March 22, 2010 — Michael Bay announces that [[Frances McDormand]], [[John Malkovich]], and [[Ken Jeong]] have joined the cast, as well as that a Ferrari 458 Italia will become the "newest Autobot".<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.html Transformers 3 Update from Michael Bay]</ref>

*April 7, 2010 — Variety reports that [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] will be returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="Variety April 7 2010">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3'', April 7, 2010]</ref>

*May 4, 2010 — Paramount Pictures confirms that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers'' 3 to play Mikaela Banes' boss.<ref>[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3", Hollywood Insider, May 4, 2010]</ref>

*May 11, 2010 — Michael Bay claims: "[[The Twins]] are not back in T3."<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7279-The-Twins-are-not-back-in-T3&p=137603#post137603 Official Michael Bay Forums May 11, 2010]</ref> If you believe that, we've got a [[space bridge]] for sale.

*May 19, 2010 — [[Megan Fox]] is suddenly dropped from the cast. A new love interest for the Sam character is slated to be cast.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J04920100520 "Megan Fox dropped from Transformers 3", Reuters.com May 19 2010]</ref>

*June 2, 2010 — Bay officially announces Fox's replacement as Sam's love interest: [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]].<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely">[http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2010/06/03/rosie-huntington-whiteley-confirmed-transformers-3 'Transformers 3' Officially Welcomes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Inside Movies.moviefone.com, June 3, 2010]</ref>

*June 6, 2010 — Representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumour that he has passed away, confirm that the actor is indeed alive and will be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-14650-Entertainment-Examiner~y2010m6d6-Uncle-Phil-James-Avery-isnt-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all, The Examiner, June 6, 2010]</ref>

*June 10, 2010 — USA Today reveals that the villain for ''Transformers 3'' will be Shockwave. Michael Bay and Lorenzo diBonaventura take some of the blame for the criticisms aimed at ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and acknowledge the problems the film had. Bay reveals that they will be getting rid of what he referred to as the "dorky comedy" seen in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and reiterates that the Twins were "basically gone", though [[John Turturro]] will return as comic relief. Additionally, the film will explore the [[Ghosts of Yesterday|Transformers' role in the space race]] and will be filmed in 3D.<ref name="USA Today June 20">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, June 10, 2010]</ref>

*June 24, 2010 — Several sources, among them the ''Chicago Tribune'' newspaper, confirm shooting locations for the film, including [[Chicago]], IL, and Milwaukee, WI, as well as repeat locations such as [[Los Angeles]], CA, [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Detroit]], MI.

*July 20, 2010 — Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, visits the Chicago set and reveals some news: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's character is named Carly,<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010">[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 20, 2010]</ref> former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] plays a soldier.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren, July 20, 2010]</ref> He later posts an official video of the shoot, revealing the latest modifications to the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] Chevy Camaro prop vehicle, as well as three partially-transformed NASCAR vehicles.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/13511383 Michael Bay Dot Com In Chicago on Vimeo, July 20, 2010]</ref>

*July 23, 2010 — An extended version of Nelson Lauren's official video depicts several more Transformer prop vehicles, including the Ferrari 458 Italia, a blue Mercedes-Benz E550 and a convertible version of [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]].<ref name="Extended official Chicago video">[http://vimeo.com/13572598 Michael Bay Dot Com in Chicago (Extended) on Vimeo, July 23, 2010]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — In reply to a thread at TFW2005.com speculating on the identity of the NASCAR Transformers, Nelson comments that the vehicles are referred to on set as the "[[Wrecker]]s".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/314458-nelson-nascar-trio-wreckers-15-post5053271.html Nelson Lauren refers to the NASCAR Transformers as "Wreckers", TFW2005.com, July 30, 2010.]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — [[Maile Flanagan]] announces at Otakon that she has been cast for the film, but due to her nondisclosure agreement can not discuss her role in the movie.<ref>Okaton 2010, Maile Flanagan Q&A</ref>

*July 31, 2010 — Nelson posts a picture of the Mercedes E550, seen on the set in Chicago, onto his flickr.com account, causing fans to misinterpret part of the photo title as a clue to the character's name ("Q").<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonlauren/4844557644/ Nelson Lauren's flickr.com uploaded picture of Mercedes E550 on Chicago set.]</ref> He later clarifies that isn't the case.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7595-Ok-has-the-bot-list-got-crazy-or-what!/page3</ref>

*August 2, 2010 — A new Autobot taking the form of a red Rosenbauer Panther airline fire truck is spotted in Chicago and confirmed to appear by Nelson. He asserts it is not Inferno or Hot Spot.<ref>http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-autobot-arrives-and-more-boom.html New Autobot Arrives and More Boom</ref>

*August 3, 2010 — Nelson confirms that Jolt is not returning.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/nelson---no-jolt-for-transformers-3-170344/ No Jolt for Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 6, 2010 — Nelson confirms at the Shoot For The Edit site, that Wheelie returns in the third film and Carly's car is a Mercedes-Benz.<ref name="Wheelie">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/wheelies-back-in-transformers-3-170366/ Wheelie's Back In Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 15, 2010 — [[Lester Speight]]'s character is named Hardcore Eddie.<ref name="Hardcore Eddie">[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/article.php?sid=14130 Rumor - Decepticon Is Offed in Transformers 3]</ref>

*October 6, 2010 — Listings for childrens books on Amazon.com reveal the title of the movie to be "Transformers: The Dark of the Moon," 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>

*October 11, 2010 — In a second major on-set accident, this time during Washington D.C. filming, a police SUV responding to an emergency call intersects with a stunt, resulting in it being struck in the passenger-side door by one of Bumblebee's stunt vehicles. Luckily no one is seriously injured.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1319918/Transformers-3-hit-second-accident-Stunt-car-slams-real-Police-SUV-unscripted-crash.html Transformers 3 hit by second on-set accident]</ref>

*October 31, 2010 — [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com] is updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

*[[December 8]], 2010 — iTunes released [http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ the official teaser trailer].

*December 14, 2010 — Nelson Lauren mentioned Bay filmed "those NASA, astronauts walking on the moon, and ''Ark'' scenes" in the teaser trailer.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8227-Cool-writeup-on-things-we-missed-in-the-Trailer.&p=155908&viewfull=1#post155908 Re: Cool writeup on things we missed in the Trailer.]</ref>

*December 14, 2010 — When asked if he would reprise the role, [[Corey Burton]], the voice of the [[Shockwave (G1)|G1]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|''Animated'']] Shockwaves, said he had heard rumors that David Warner, who inspired the character's voice, was being considered for the role. He added he had no interest in playing Shockwave for ''Dark of the Moon'', stating he was too busy and had no interest "in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement".<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton on Shockwave]</ref>

*January 4, 2011 — An Idaho paper reported [[Bill Fagerbakke]] would be voicing a Chevy Impala with machine guns in the film.<ref>[http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story Magic Valley article]</ref>

*January 11, 2011 — PopEater.com mentions that [[Tom Kenny]] is recording voices for the film.<ref>[http://www.popeater.com/2011/01/12/tom-kenny-spongebob-sarah-palin/ Tom Kenny: SpongeBob 'Tougher Than Sarah Palin', PopEater.com, Jan 12, 2011]</ref>

*January 14, 2011 — In an interview with the ''Los Angeles Times'', Bay reiterated that ''Dark of the Moon'' would be superior to ''Revenge of the Fallen'', which was plagued by scheduling problems. It is stated there will be a digital version of [[John F. Kennedy]] and the archive-reel footage of [[Walter Cronkite]] from the teaser would also be in the film. He also talked about the complexity of filming in 3D on location.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ Michael Bay ready to make you forget ‘Transformers 2′: ‘It was kind of a mess’]</ref> In an update of the article, it was confirmed [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would not be returning as [[Leo Spitz]], a departure from Bay's previous announcement in 2009 that he would have a larger role in the third film.<ref name="TFormers Rodriguez">[http://tformers.com/transformers-leo-spitz-to-have-expanded-role-in-transformers-3/11919/news.html Leo Spitz to Have Expanded Role in ''Transformers 3'' on TFormers]</ref>

*February 6, 2011 — A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kvT0pKju8&feature=youtube_gdata_player new teaser] is shown during the Super Bowl.

*February 10, 2011 — Bay confirmed Sentinel Prime's existence in ''Dark of the Moon''. In an interview with MTV, the director is quoted as saying "Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great."<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml February 10, 2011 interview with MTV about Sentinel Prime]</ref>

*February 11, 2011 — An ''Entertainment Weekly'' article showcasing some new toys confirms the roles of Sentinel Prime, Megatron and the ''Ark'' in the story.<ref>[http://ewinsidemovies.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/transformers-3-hasbro-toys/ 'Transformers 3' clues found in new Hasbro toys - exclusive]</ref>

*February 20, 2011 — As part of the promotions for ''Dark of the Moon'', Michael Bay, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel and the film prop versions of the three NASCAR Autobot Wreckers ([[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], and [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]) made appearances at the [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]]th. The Wreckers appeared both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap. During the television broadcast of the race, a new television spot for ''Dark of the Moon'' was aired.

*February 21, 2011 — Nelson reaffirmed that the Twins were being removed from the final cut of the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8570-Update&p=163786#post163786 Shoot for the Edit Update thread, February 21, 2011]</ref>

*February 28, 2011 — The April 2011 issue of ''Empire'' hits the stands, with an exclusive story on ''Dark of the Moon''. Depicted on the cover and inside the magazine are ILM's renders for Sentinel Prime and the redesigned Optimus Prime.

*March 31, 2011 — Entertainment Weekly's website announces that [[Leonard Nimoy]] will be voicing Sentinel Prime!<ref>[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's Involvement, March 31, 2011]</ref>

*April 10, 2011 — Micheal Bay commented on speculation that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that had been seen on set by claiming: "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's ''[sic, recte companies]'' 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>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598#post169598 "Is Soundwave the silver Mercedes on set of DOTM", Michael Bay, shootfortheedit.com, April 10, 2011]</ref>

*April 14, 2011 — Mike Shinoda of [[Linkin Park]] confirmed that their song, ''Iridescent'', would be the single for ''Dark of the Moon'', a shorter version of the song would be used in the film and that they would be shooting a music video for it.

*April 15, 2011 — Michael Bay confirmed a trailer with ''Fast Five'' on April 29, and a 3D trailer with ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' on May 20.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170187&viewfull=1#post170187 Re: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref> He also screened 20 minutes of footage to the press, as well as five minutes of 3D footage. Bay spoke about how hard it was to tap into the magic of the first film as audiences had grown desensitized to the wonder of the Transformers. He spoke of it being darker, mature and emotional, with the stakes higher due to it being set in American city. He and Kruger compared the film to ''[[Wikipedia:Black Hawk Down|Black Hawk Down]]'', with no cavalry to rescue the heroes. He also spoke about blocking off a mile and a half of Chicago's streets for a scene involving stuntmen in wing suits diving off Sears Tower. Additionally, he reiterated that we shouldn't expect to see the Twins in this movie,<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76485 Michael Bay Previews Transformers: Dark of the Moon! Ryan Turek, Coming Soon.net, April 15, 2011]</ref> and that [[Frank Welker]] will be returning for voice duties.<ref name="uncut roundtable interview"/>

*April 15, 2011 — Lyricis Interactive uploads a promotional render of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]].<ref>[http://www.lyricis.fr/cinema-serie-tv/sentinel-prime-se-devoile/ Transformers 3 : Sentinel Prime se dévoile, April 15, 2011]</ref> <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-sentinel-prime-promo-image-revealed-171918/ Image mirrored at TFW2005.com]</ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Carly's last name is revealed to be Miller via an image caption at AllMoviePhoto.com. <ref> http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2011_transformer_dark_of_the_moon_001.html </ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Nelson confirmed the trailer will be online on Apple on April 28, at 7pm (East Coast time).<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170380&viewfull=1#post170380 Re: Updated: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref>

*April 28, 2011 — The second trailer is released on Apple iTunes Movie trailers<ref>[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Transformers: Dark of the Moon, trailers.apple.com]</ref>, as well as MichaelBay.com's accounts on Youtube<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilA0gggRFyQ Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, michealbaydotcom account, youtube.com]</ref>, and Vimeo<ref>[http://vimeo.com/23012123 Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, Michael Bay Dot Com account, Vimeo.com]</ref>

*May 2, 2011 — [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ Transformers.com] is updated and the [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] is added, providing a plethora of new information (including some new characters). '''BEWARE OF PLOT SPOILERS'''

*May 12, 2011 — On the Marquee Blog it states that [[Hugo Weaving]] has been quite busy voicing Megatron in Dark of the Moon.<ref>http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/12/hugo-weaving-returns-to-middle-earth-in-hobbit/</ref>

*May 14, 2011 — Capone of Ain't It Cool News posts his thoughts on an early screening of the film, clarifying names of some of the characters (such as Frances McDormand's) and reiterating Bay's claim that the Twins are not in the film. <ref name="AICN">[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/49648 Capone's AICN review.]</ref>

*May 14, 2011 — On his official message board, Michael Bay once again says the Twins are not in the film, offering a $25,000 to anyone who can see them performing in the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?9072-25-000-Reward Michael Bay's $25,000 reward thread]</ref> He goes on to add that the brief glimpse of them in the trailer is a trailer shot that is not used in the final cut. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?9072-25-000-Reward&p=175787&viewfull=1#post175787 Bay clarifying why the Twins are briefly glimpsed in the film]</ref>

*May 20, 2011 — Paramount moves the release date from July 1 up to June 29 to allow breathing room between its release and Harry Potter's.

*June 3, 2011 — Nelson informs the public that the Mercedes E550 is Que (pronounced "Q")<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?9233-And-the-Mercedes-E550-is... Nelson reveals the name of blue Mercedes]</ref>, in homage to [[Wikipedia:Q (James Bond)|Q]] from [[Wikipedia:James Bond|James Bond]]; and the Ferrari 458 Italia is Dino (pronounced "Dee-no")<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?9232-Let-s-welcome-the-Ferrari-458-Italia-to-the-Transformers-family&p=179524&viewfull=1#post179524 Nelson reveals name of red Ferrari]</ref>, named for [[Wikipedia:Alfredo Ferrari|Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari]], at the request of Ferrari.

*June 17, 2011 — Paramount announces that the film will be released in 3D and IMAX theaters at 9PM on June 28th.

*June 23, 2011 - The world premiere of the film is held in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]], with band [[Linkin Park]] performing a concert that includes "Iridescent".



==Main cast==


{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5822 Exclusive: Peter Cullen on Transformers! on SuperHeroHype]</ref>
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]<ref name="Extended official Chicago video"/>
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime" /> ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]]<ref name="comicadaptation">[[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' Movie Adaptation]]</ref>
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]]<ref name="Wheelie"/> ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]]<ref name="uncut roundtable interview">[http://www.slashfilm.com/interview-michael-bay-talks-transformers-dark-moon/ Interview: Michael Bay talks 'Dark of the Moon']</ref>
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]
*[[Silverbolt (DOTM)|Silverbolt]] ([[James Avery]])<ref name="unscripted James Avery"/>
|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/165127-preview-of-activisions-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-video-game Superhero Hype! DOTM game preview]</ref>
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Hatchet]]
*[[Driller]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])<ref>[http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Exclusive Interview with Shia LaBeouf and Brian Geraghty on About.com]</ref>
*[[Carly Miller]]<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010"/> ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely"/>
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/showestnews.php?id=64373 ShoWest 2010: Josh Duhamel Back for ''Transformers 3'']</ref>
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])<ref>[http://twitter.com/Tyrese4ReaL/status/8867232956 Note on Tyrese Gibson's Twitter]</ref>
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] ([[Frances McDormand]])<ref name="AICN"/>
*[[Dylan Gould]] ([[Patrick Dempsey]])<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*Bruce ([[John Malkovich]])<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/john-malkovich-talks-about-his-character-in-transformers-3-reveals-the-character-name-170678/ John Malkovich Talks About His Character In Transformers 3, Reveals The Character Name - Transformers News]</ref>
*Hardcore Eddie ([[Lester Speight]])<ref name="Hardcore Eddie"/>
*Unknown, most likely [[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]]) <ref>[http://glennmorshower.com/Actor.html Glenn Morshower's website]</ref>
*Simmons's assistant ([[Alan Tudyk]])<ref>[http://fromhollywoodwithluv.blogspot.com/2010/08/exclusive-alan-tudyk-reveals-his_03.html From Hollywood with Love interview with Tudyk]</ref>
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref>
*[[Buzz Aldrin]]<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref> ([[Cory Tucker]])<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/18/don-jeanes-talks-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-and-more/ Skewed magazine nterview with Don Jeanes]</ref>/(Himself)<ref>http://michaelbay.com/media/articles/034/034.html</ref>
|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}


==Posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
Image:Megatron DOTM wallpaper.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Notes==

* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked<ref>http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/</ref>, causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuqiepu4UY 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.


===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido Mūn'')
*''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'''''
*''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]

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

Megatron (Movie)

2011-05-19T16:43:16Z

Plo Koon 1:

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is often referred to as "Lord Megatron". Known to humans as both "The Ice Man" and "The Mega-Man" and more formally as [[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial|N.B.E.]]-01''

[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|thumb|320px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

Once the [[Lord High Protector]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the "[[brother]]" of the science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], '''Megatron''' is vicious, extremely powerful, single-minded in his goals, straight-forward and brutally direct. He is all "blunt force" in contrast to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s penchant for deceit and trickery. On the downside, Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans (otherwise, he likely wouldn't have melted into ice-cold arctic water after being white hot from falling through [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, and spent ten-thousand years as a [[wikipedia:popsicle|popsicle]]), and even crippling injuries in pursuit of the coveted item. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Even the destruction of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Autobot]]s is a secondary concern. In Megatron's cerebral processor, all that has become important are the whims of his [[The Fallen|master]] and, by extension, the [[AllSpark]].

While [[Megatron (disambiguation)|some]] merely dislike or disregard humans, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards them and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner. Even if there was no AllSpark, it's not hard to imagine that Megatron would have come to this planet anyway, just to cleanse one more world of its organic infection.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

High Protector Megatron, the supreme commander of the Cybertronian defense forces and firm leader of all of Cybertron, once ruled the entire planet seemingly side-by-side with Optimus Prime, protecting their world against all perceived hostile threats. For generations, the two ruled in peace—Megatron firm, with Prime being fair, creating an even (if sometimes strained) governmental balance. When Commander [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near the temple at [[Simfur]] and the unusual pulse waves that the [[AllSpark]] had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in the capital of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]]. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]
Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle until Optimus Prime made his most dangerous gamble. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 4}}

Many years after the war broke put, Megatron was inside his citadel, waiting for Optimus Prime..... {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}} Megatron then looked down as Optimus was near his citadel. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} then he dropped smelting pool at them, as Optimus makes it inside the citadel, Megatron was hiding behind the Hatchlings who he declared to Optimus that they will be his future enemys. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3}} {{charstubfiction}} {{storylink|Foundation issue 4}}

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|Adaptations based on early drafts of the script show Megatron hoped to become a Prime under the Fallen. However, during Optimus' final battle with the ancient villain, he revealed Primes were born, not made. Here, Megatron was angered that he had been misled, refusing to aid his master and vowed never to serve anyone again. Optimus is revealed to be an orphan who was "hidden" from The Fallen, further indicating he is not biologically related to Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Revenge of the Fallen}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|Revenge of the Fallen}}}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English)
{{comingsoon|unreleased|when=July 1, 2011}}
{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
{{comingsoon}}
{{-}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name - imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Starships]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-05-19T16:41:10Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Dark of the Moon film */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is often referred to as "Lord Megatron". Known to humans as both "The Ice Man" and "The Mega-Man" and more formally as [[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial|N.B.E.]]-01''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

Once the [[Lord High Protector]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the "[[brother]]" of the science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], '''Megatron''' is vicious, extremely powerful, single-minded in his goals, straight-forward and brutally direct. He is all "blunt force" in contrast to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s penchant for deceit and trickery. On the downside, Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans (otherwise, he likely wouldn't have melted into ice-cold arctic water after being white hot from falling through [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, and spent ten-thousand years as a [[wikipedia:popsicle|popsicle]]), and even crippling injuries in pursuit of the coveted item. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Even the destruction of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Autobot]]s is a secondary concern. In Megatron's cerebral processor, all that has become important are the whims of his [[The Fallen|master]] and, by extension, the [[AllSpark]].

While [[Megatron (disambiguation)|some]] merely dislike or disregard humans, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards them and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner. Even if there was no AllSpark, it's not hard to imagine that Megatron would have come to this planet anyway, just to cleanse one more world of its organic infection.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

High Protector Megatron, the supreme commander of the Cybertronian defense forces and firm leader of all of Cybertron, once ruled the entire planet seemingly side-by-side with Optimus Prime, protecting their world against all perceived hostile threats. For generations, the two ruled in peace—Megatron firm, with Prime being fair, creating an even (if sometimes strained) governmental balance. When Commander [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near the temple at [[Simfur]] and the unusual pulse waves that the [[AllSpark]] had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in the capital of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]]. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]
Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle until Optimus Prime made his most dangerous gamble. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 4}}

Many years after the war broke put, Megatron was inside his citadel, waiting for Optimus Prime..... {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}} Megatron then looked down as Optimus was near his citadel. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} then he dropped smelting pool at them, as Optimus makes it inside the citadel, Megatron was hiding behind the Hatchlings who he declared to Optimus that they will be his future enemys. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3}} {{charstubfiction}} {{storylink|Foundation issue 4}}

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|Adaptations based on early drafts of the script show Megatron hoped to become a Prime under the Fallen. However, during Optimus' final battle with the ancient villain, he revealed Primes were born, not made. Here, Megatron was angered that he had been misled, refusing to aid his master and vowed never to serve anyone again. Optimus is revealed to be an orphan who was "hidden" from The Fallen, further indicating he is not biologically related to Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Revenge of the Fallen}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|Revenge of the Fallen}}}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English)
{{comingsoon|unreleased|when=July 1, 2011}}
{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
{{comingsoon}}
{{-}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name - imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Starships]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-05-19T16:40:44Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Dark of the Moon film */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is often referred to as "Lord Megatron". Known to humans as both "The Ice Man" and "The Mega-Man" and more formally as [[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial|N.B.E.]]-01''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

Once the [[Lord High Protector]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the "[[brother]]" of the science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], '''Megatron''' is vicious, extremely powerful, single-minded in his goals, straight-forward and brutally direct. He is all "blunt force" in contrast to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s penchant for deceit and trickery. On the downside, Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans (otherwise, he likely wouldn't have melted into ice-cold arctic water after being white hot from falling through [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, and spent ten-thousand years as a [[wikipedia:popsicle|popsicle]]), and even crippling injuries in pursuit of the coveted item. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Even the destruction of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Autobot]]s is a secondary concern. In Megatron's cerebral processor, all that has become important are the whims of his [[The Fallen|master]] and, by extension, the [[AllSpark]].

While [[Megatron (disambiguation)|some]] merely dislike or disregard humans, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards them and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner. Even if there was no AllSpark, it's not hard to imagine that Megatron would have come to this planet anyway, just to cleanse one more world of its organic infection.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

High Protector Megatron, the supreme commander of the Cybertronian defense forces and firm leader of all of Cybertron, once ruled the entire planet seemingly side-by-side with Optimus Prime, protecting their world against all perceived hostile threats. For generations, the two ruled in peace—Megatron firm, with Prime being fair, creating an even (if sometimes strained) governmental balance. When Commander [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near the temple at [[Simfur]] and the unusual pulse waves that the [[AllSpark]] had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in the capital of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]]. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]
Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle until Optimus Prime made his most dangerous gamble. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 4}}

Many years after the war broke put, Megatron was inside his citadel, waiting for Optimus Prime..... {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}} Megatron then looked down as Optimus was near his citadel. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} then he dropped smelting pool at them, as Optimus makes it inside the citadel, Megatron was hiding behind the Hatchlings who he declared to Optimus that they will be his future enemys. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3}} {{charstubfiction}} {{storylink|Foundation issue 4}}

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|Adaptations based on early drafts of the script show Megatron hoped to become a Prime under the Fallen. However, during Optimus' final battle with the ancient villain, he revealed Primes were born, not made. Here, Megatron was angered that he had been misled, refusing to aid his master and vowed never to serve anyone again. Optimus is revealed to be an orphan who was "hidden" from The Fallen, further indicating he is not biologically related to Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Revenge of the Fallen}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|Revenge of the Fallen}}}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|thumb|210px|Megatron as he will appear in [[Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]]]
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English)
{{comingsoon|unreleased|when=July 1, 2011}}
{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
{{comingsoon}}
{{-}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name - imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Starships]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-05-19T16:39:49Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Dark of the Moon film */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is often referred to as "Lord Megatron". Known to humans as both "The Ice Man" and "The Mega-Man" and more formally as [[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial|N.B.E.]]-01''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

Once the [[Lord High Protector]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the "[[brother]]" of the science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], '''Megatron''' is vicious, extremely powerful, single-minded in his goals, straight-forward and brutally direct. He is all "blunt force" in contrast to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s penchant for deceit and trickery. On the downside, Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans (otherwise, he likely wouldn't have melted into ice-cold arctic water after being white hot from falling through [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, and spent ten-thousand years as a [[wikipedia:popsicle|popsicle]]), and even crippling injuries in pursuit of the coveted item. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Even the destruction of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Autobot]]s is a secondary concern. In Megatron's cerebral processor, all that has become important are the whims of his [[The Fallen|master]] and, by extension, the [[AllSpark]].

While [[Megatron (disambiguation)|some]] merely dislike or disregard humans, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards them and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner. Even if there was no AllSpark, it's not hard to imagine that Megatron would have come to this planet anyway, just to cleanse one more world of its organic infection.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

High Protector Megatron, the supreme commander of the Cybertronian defense forces and firm leader of all of Cybertron, once ruled the entire planet seemingly side-by-side with Optimus Prime, protecting their world against all perceived hostile threats. For generations, the two ruled in peace—Megatron firm, with Prime being fair, creating an even (if sometimes strained) governmental balance. When Commander [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near the temple at [[Simfur]] and the unusual pulse waves that the [[AllSpark]] had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in the capital of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]]. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]
Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle until Optimus Prime made his most dangerous gamble. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 4}}

Many years after the war broke put, Megatron was inside his citadel, waiting for Optimus Prime..... {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}} Megatron then looked down as Optimus was near his citadel. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}} then he dropped smelting pool at them, as Optimus makes it inside the citadel, Megatron was hiding behind the Hatchlings who he declared to Optimus that they will be his future enemys. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3}} {{charstubfiction}} {{storylink|Foundation issue 4}}

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|Adaptations based on early drafts of the script show Megatron hoped to become a Prime under the Fallen. However, during Optimus' final battle with the ancient villain, he revealed Primes were born, not made. Here, Megatron was angered that he had been misled, refusing to aid his master and vowed never to serve anyone again. Optimus is revealed to be an orphan who was "hidden" from The Fallen, further indicating he is not biologically related to Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Revenge of the Fallen}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|Revenge of the Fallen}}}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English)
[[Image:Megatron Dark of the Moon.jpg|thumb|300px|Megatron as he will appear in [[Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]]]

{{comingsoon|unreleased|when=July 1, 2011}}
{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
''Megatron appears in two forms in this version of the game. A version that transforms into his tank mode and is unable to fly, and a non-transforming flight mode used in the final mission against The Fallen.''
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
{{comingsoon}}
{{-}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name - imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Starships]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-05-18T15:55:05Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Confirmed information */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It is scheduled to be released on [[July 1]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5976 "Official 2011," Shootfortheedit.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

{{TOCclear}}

==Confirmed information==

[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]

*June 20, 2009 — [[Michael Bay]] will be returning to directing duties.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?p=92260#post92260</ref>

*October 1, 2009 — "Day One" of preproduction work. A story has apparently already been worked out. The day begins with a meeting between Bay and [[Industrial Light & Magic]] which is followed by Bay and writer [[Ehren Kruger]] flying to Rhode Island to meet with [[Hasbro]] about new characters. Bay confirms a proposed release date of July 1, 2011.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.html Michael Bay confirms the release date and "day one" of pre-production, posted on October 1, 2009]</ref>

*October 6, 2009 — [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] will not be returning to write the film. All writing duties have been given to Ehren Kruger.<ref>http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1403421#post1403421</ref>

*Michael Bay states on the video played at the end of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Blu-ray ''AllSpark Experiment'' game that the third film will go deeper into the Transformers' history (cue lots of [[Unicron]] imagery from ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'') and that it will have more screentime for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. But it does say in the message that he'll tell lies...

*January 5, 2010 — [[James Avery]] confirms he will be playing a new Autobot named Silverbolt. No word on if this is the same character as [[Silverbolt (ROTF)|ROTF Silverbolt]].<ref name="unscripted James Avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted]</ref>

*February 7, 2010 — [[Tony Todd]] said that he would be back in some capacity<ref>[http://denofgeek.com/movies/410537/tony_todd_interview_candyman_transformers_3_platoon_chuck_and_his_brand_new_projects.html Tony Todd interview at DenofGeek.com]</ref> On April 17, 2010, he hinted at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo 2010 that he will be playing a human character.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/tony-todd-to-play-a-human-in-transformers-3-169581/ Tony Todd To Play A Human In Transformers 3, TFW2005.com, April 27, 2010]</ref> However, on October 1,Todd stated that he is in fact not in ''Transformers'' 3.<ref>[http://screenrant.com/tony-todd-interview-hatchet-final-destination-robf-80905/2/ ScreenRant interviews Tony Todd, October 1, 2010.]</ref>

*March 2, 2010 — [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] are going to get updated/revised designs that in Bumblebee's case reflects his maturation.<ref>[http://scifiwire.com/2010/03/transformers-3s-optimus-b.php "Transformers 3's Optimus, Bumblebee getting makeovers" @ Sci-Fi Wire]</ref>

*March 22, 2010 — Michael Bay announces that [[Frances McDormand]], [[John Malkovich]], and [[Ken Jeong]] have joined the cast, as well as that a Ferrari 458 Italia will become the "newest Autobot".<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.html Transformers 3 Update from Michael Bay]</ref>

*April 7, 2010 — Variety reports that [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] will be returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="Variety April 7 2010">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3'', April 7, 2010]</ref>

*May 4, 2010 — Paramount Pictures confirms that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers'' 3 to play Mikaela Banes' boss.<ref>[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3", Hollywood Insider, May 4, 2010]</ref>

*May 11, 2010 — Michael Bay claims: "[[The Twins]] are not back in T3."<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7279-The-Twins-are-not-back-in-T3&p=137603#post137603 Official Michael Bay Forums May 11, 2010]</ref> If you believe that, we've got a [[space bridge]] for sale.

*May 19, 2010 — [[Megan Fox]] is suddenly dropped from the cast. A new love interest for the Sam character is slated to be cast.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J04920100520 "Megan Fox dropped from Transformers 3", Reuters.com May 19 2010]</ref>

*June 2, 2010 — Bay officially announces Fox's replacement as Sam's love interest: [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]].<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely">[http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2010/06/03/rosie-huntington-whiteley-confirmed-transformers-3 'Transformers 3' Officially Welcomes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Inside Movies.moviefone.com, June 3, 2010]</ref>

*June 6, 2010 — Representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumour that he has passed away, confirm that the actor is indeed alive and will be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-14650-Entertainment-Examiner~y2010m6d6-Uncle-Phil-James-Avery-isnt-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all, The Examiner, June 6, 2010]</ref>

*June 10, 2010 — USA Today reveals that the villain for ''Transformers 3'' will be Shockwave. Michael Bay and Lorenzo diBonaventura take some of the blame for the criticisms aimed at ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and acknowledge the problems the film had. Bay reveals that they will be getting rid of what he referred to as the "dorky comedy" seen in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and reiterates that the Twins were "basically gone", though [[John Turturro]] will return as comic relief. Additionally, the film will explore the [[Ghosts of Yesterday|Transformers' role in the space race]] and will be filmed in 3D.<ref name="USA Today June 20">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, June 10, 2010]</ref>

*June 24, 2010 — Several sources, among them the ''Chicago Tribune'' newspaper, confirm shooting locations for the film, including [[Chicago]], IL, and Milwaukee, WI, as well as repeat locations such as [[Los Angeles]], CA, [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Detroit]], MI.

*July 20, 2010 — Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, visits the Chicago set and reveals some news: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's character is named Carly,<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010">[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 20, 2010]</ref> former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] plays a soldier.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren, July 20, 2010]</ref> He later posts an official video of the shoot, revealing the latest modifications to the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] Chevy Camaro prop vehicle, as well as three partially-transformed NASCAR vehicles.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/13511383 Michael Bay Dot Com In Chicago on Vimeo, July 20, 2010]</ref>

*July 23, 2010 — An extended version of Nelson Lauren's official video depicts several more Transformer prop vehicles, including the Ferrari 458 Italia, a blue Mercedes-Benz E550 and a convertible version of [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]].<ref name="Extended official Chicago video">[http://vimeo.com/13572598 Michael Bay Dot Com in Chicago (Extended) on Vimeo, July 23, 2010]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — In reply to a thread at TFW2005.com speculating on the identity of the NASCAR Transformers, Nelson comments that the vehicles are referred to on set as the "[[Wrecker]]s".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/314458-nelson-nascar-trio-wreckers-15-post5053271.html Nelson Lauren refers to the NASCAR Transformers as "Wreckers", TFW2005.com, July 30, 2010.]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — [[Maile Flanagan]] announces at Otakon that she has been cast for the film, but due to her nondisclosure agreement can not discuss her role in the movie.<ref>Okaton 2010, Maile Flanagan Q&A</ref>

*July 31, 2010 — Nelson posts a picture of the Mercedes E550, seen on the set in Chicago, onto his flickr.com account, causing fans to misinterpret part of the photo title as a clue to the character's name ("Q").<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonlauren/4844557644/ Nelson Lauren's flickr.com uploaded picture of Mercedes E550 on Chicago set.]</ref> He later clarifies that isn't the case.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7595-Ok-has-the-bot-list-got-crazy-or-what!/page3</ref>

*August 2, 2010 — A new Autobot taking the form of a red Rosenbauer Panther airline fire truck is spotted in Chicago and confirmed to appear by Nelson. He asserts it is not Inferno or Hot Spot.<ref>http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-autobot-arrives-and-more-boom.html New Autobot Arrives and More Boom</ref>

*August 3, 2010 — Nelson confirms that Jolt is not returning.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/nelson---no-jolt-for-transformers-3-170344/ No Jolt for Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 6, 2010 — Nelson confirms at the Shoot For The Edit site, that Wheelie returns in the third film and Carly's car is a Mercedes-Benz.<ref name="Wheelie">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/wheelies-back-in-transformers-3-170366/ Wheelie's Back In Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 15, 2010 — [[Lester Speight]]'s character is named Hardcore Eddie.<ref name="Hardcore Eddie">[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/article.php?sid=14130 Rumor - Decepticon Is Offed in Transformers 3]</ref>

*October 6, 2010 — Listings for childrens books on Amazon.com reveal the title of the movie to be "Transformers: The Dark of the Moon," 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>

*October 11, 2010 — In a second major on-set accident, this time during Washington D.C. filming, a police SUV responding to an emergency call intersects with a stunt, resulting in it being struck in the passenger-side door by one of Bumblebee's stunt vehicles. Luckily no one is seriously injured.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1319918/Transformers-3-hit-second-accident-Stunt-car-slams-real-Police-SUV-unscripted-crash.html Transformers 3 hit by second on-set accident]</ref>

*October 31, 2010 — [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com] is updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

*[[December 8]], 2010 — iTunes released [http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ the official teaser trailer].

*December 14, 2010 — Nelson Lauren mentioned Bay filmed "those NASA, astronauts walking on the moon, and ''Ark'' scenes" in the teaser trailer.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8227-Cool-writeup-on-things-we-missed-in-the-Trailer.&p=155908&viewfull=1#post155908 Re: Cool writeup on things we missed in the Trailer.]</ref>

*December 14, 2010 — When asked if he would reprise the role, [[Corey Burton]], the voice of the [[Shockwave (G1)|G1]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|''Animated'']] Shockwaves, said he had heard rumors that David Warner, who inspired the character's voice, was being considered for the role. He added he had no interest in playing Shockwave for ''Dark of the Moon'', stating he was too busy and had no interest "in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement".<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton on Shockwave]</ref>

*January 4, 2011 — An Idaho paper reported [[Bill Fagerbakke]] would be voicing a Chevy Impala with machine guns in the film.<ref>[http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story Magic Valley article]</ref>

*January 11, 2011 — PopEater.com mentions that [[Tom Kenny]] is recording voices for the film.<ref>[http://www.popeater.com/2011/01/12/tom-kenny-spongebob-sarah-palin/ Tom Kenny: SpongeBob 'Tougher Than Sarah Palin', PopEater.com, Jan 12, 2011]</ref>

*January 14, 2011 — In an interview with the ''Los Angeles Times'', Bay reiterated that ''Dark of the Moon'' would be superior to ''Revenge of the Fallen'', which was plagued by scheduling problems. It is stated there will be a digital version of [[John F. Kennedy]] and the archive-reel footage of [[Walter Cronkite]] from the teaser would also be in the film. He also talked about the complexity of filming in 3D on location.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ Michael Bay ready to make you forget ‘Transformers 2′: ‘It was kind of a mess’]</ref> In an update of the article, it was confirmed [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would not be returning as [[Leo Spitz]], a departure from Bay's previous announcement in 2009 that he would have a larger role in the third film.<ref name="TFormers Rodriguez">[http://tformers.com/transformers-leo-spitz-to-have-expanded-role-in-transformers-3/11919/news.html Leo Spitz to Have Expanded Role in ''Transformers 3'' on TFormers]</ref>

*February 6, 2011 — A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kvT0pKju8&feature=youtube_gdata_player new teaser] is shown during the Super Bowl.

*February 10, 2011 — Bay confirmed Sentinel Prime's existence in ''Dark of the Moon''. In an interview with MTV, the director is quoted as saying "Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great."<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml February 10, 2011 interview with MTV about Sentinel Prime]</ref>

*February 11, 2011 — An ''Entertainment Weekly'' article showcasing some new toys confirms the roles of Sentinel Prime, Megatron and the ''Ark'' in the story.<ref>[http://ewinsidemovies.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/transformers-3-hasbro-toys/ 'Transformers 3' clues found in new Hasbro toys - exclusive]</ref>

*February 20, 2011 — As part of the promotions for ''Dark of the Moon'', Michael Bay, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel and the film prop versions of the three NASCAR Autobot Wreckers ([[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], and [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]) made appearances at the [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]]th. The Wreckers appeared both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap. During the television broadcast of the race, a new television spot for ''Dark of the Moon'' was aired.

*February 21, 2011 — Nelson reaffirmed that the Twins were being removed from the final cut of the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8570-Update&p=163786#post163786 Shoot for the Edit Update thread, February 21, 2011]</ref>

*February 28, 2011 — The April 2011 issue of ''Empire'' hits the stands, with an exclusive story on ''Dark of the Moon''. Depicted on the cover and inside the magazine are ILM's renders for Sentinel Prime and the redesigned Optimus Prime.

*March 31, 2011 — Entertainment Weekly's website announces that [[Leonard Nimoy]] will be voicing Sentinel Prime!<ref>[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's Involvement, March 31, 2011]</ref>

*April 10, 2011 — Micheal Bay commented on speculation that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that had been seen on set by claiming: "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's ''[sic, recte companies]'' 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>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598#post169598 "Is Soundwave the silver Mercedes on set of DOTM", Michael Bay, shootfortheedit.com, April 10, 2011]</ref>

*April 14, 2011 — Mike Shinoda of [[Linkin Park]] confirmed that their song, ''Iridescent'', would be the single for ''Dark of the Moon'', a shorter version of the song would be used in the film and that they would be shooting a music video for it.

*April 15, 2011 — Michael Bay confirmed a trailer with ''Fast Five'' on April 29, and a 3D trailer with ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' on May 20.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170187&viewfull=1#post170187 Re: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref> He also screened 20 minutes of footage to the press, as well as five minutes of 3D footage. Bay spoke about how hard it was to tap into the magic of the first film as audiences had grown desensitized to the wonder of the Transformers. He spoke of it being darker, mature and emotional, with the stakes higher due to it being set in American city. He and Kruger compared the film to ''[[Wikipedia:Black Hawk Down|Black Hawk Down]]'', with no cavalry to rescue the heroes. He also spoke about blocking off a mile and a half of Chicago's streets for a scene involving stuntmen in wing suits diving off Sears Tower. Additionally, he reiterated that we shouldn't expect to see the Twins in this movie,<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76485 Michael Bay Previews Transformers: Dark of the Moon! Ryan Turek, Coming Soon.net, April 15, 2011]</ref> and that [[Frank Welker]] will be returning for voice duties.<ref name="uncut roundtable interview"/>

*April 15, 2011 — Lyricis Interactive uploads a promotional render of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]].<ref>[http://www.lyricis.fr/cinema-serie-tv/sentinel-prime-se-devoile/ Transformers 3 : Sentinel Prime se dévoile, April 15, 2011]</ref> <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-sentinel-prime-promo-image-revealed-171918/ Image mirrored at TFW2005.com]</ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Carly's last name is revealed to be Miller via an image caption at AllMoviePhoto.com. <ref> http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2011_transformer_dark_of_the_moon_001.html </ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Nelson confirmed the trailer will be online on Apple on April 28, at 7pm (East Coast time).<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170380&viewfull=1#post170380 Re: Updated: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref>

*April 28, 2011 — The second trailer is released on Apple iTunes Movie trailers<ref>[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Transformers: Dark of the Moon, trailers.apple.com]</ref>, as well as MichaelBay.com's accounts on Youtube<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilA0gggRFyQ Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, michealbaydotcom account, youtube.com]</ref>, and Vimeo<ref>[http://vimeo.com/23012123 Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, Michael Bay Dot Com account, Vimeo.com]</ref>

*May 2, 2011 — [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ Transformers.com] is updated and the [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] is added, providing a plethora of new information (including some new characters). '''BEWARE OF PLOT SPOILERS'''

*May 12, 2011 — On the Marquee Blog it states that [[Hugo Weaving]] has been quite busy voicing Megatron in Dark of the Moon.<ref>http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/12/hugo-weaving-returns-to-middle-earth-in-hobbit/</ref>

*May 14, 2011 — Capone of Ain't It Cool News posts his thoughts on an early screening of the film, clarifying names of some of the characters (such as Frances McDormand's) and reiterating Bay's claim that the Twins are not in the film. <ref name="AICN">[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/49648 Capone's AICN review.]</ref>

*May 14, 2011 — On his official message board, Michael Bay once again says the Twins are not in the film, offering a $25,000 to anyone who can see them performing in the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?9072-25-000-Reward Michael Bay's $25,000 reward thread]</ref> He goes on to add that the brief glimpse of them in the trailer is a trailer shot that is not used in the final cut. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?9072-25-000-Reward&p=175787&viewfull=1#post175787 Bay clarifying why the Twins are briefly glimpsed in the film]</ref>



==Main cast==


{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5822 Exclusive: Peter Cullen on Transformers! on SuperHeroHype]</ref>
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]<ref name="Extended official Chicago video"/>
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime" /> ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]]<ref name="comicadaptation">[[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' Movie Adaptation]]</ref>
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]]<ref name="Wheelie"/>
*[[Brains]]<ref name="uncut roundtable interview">[http://www.slashfilm.com/interview-michael-bay-talks-transformers-dark-moon/ Interview: Michael Bay talks 'Dark of the Moon']</ref>
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]
*[[Silverbolt (DOTM)|Silverbolt]] ([[James Avery]])<ref name="unscripted James Avery"/>
|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/165127-preview-of-activisions-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-video-game Superhero Hype! DOTM game preview]</ref>
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Driller]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])<ref>[http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Exclusive Interview with Shia LaBeouf and Brian Geraghty on About.com]</ref>
*[[Carly Miller]]<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010"/> ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely"/>
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/showestnews.php?id=64373 ShoWest 2010: Josh Duhamel Back for ''Transformers 3'']</ref>
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])<ref>[http://twitter.com/Tyrese4ReaL/status/8867232956 Note on Tyrese Gibson's Twitter]</ref>
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] ([[Frances McDormand]])<ref name="AICN"/>
*[[Dylan]] ([[Patrick Dempsey]])<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*Bruce ([[John Malkovich]])<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/john-malkovich-talks-about-his-character-in-transformers-3-reveals-the-character-name-170678/ John Malkovich Talks About His Character In Transformers 3, Reveals The Character Name - Transformers News]</ref>
*Hardcore Eddie ([[Lester Speight]])<ref name="Hardcore Eddie"/>
*Unknown, most likely [[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]]) <ref>[http://glennmorshower.com/Actor.html Glenn Morshower's website]</ref>
*Simmons's assistant ([[Alan Tudyk]])<ref>[http://fromhollywoodwithluv.blogspot.com/2010/08/exclusive-alan-tudyk-reveals-his_03.html From Hollywood with Love interview with Tudyk]</ref>
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref>
*[[Buzz Aldrin]]<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref> ([[Cory Tucker]])<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/18/don-jeanes-talks-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-and-more/ Skewed magazine nterview with Don Jeanes]</ref>
|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}


==Posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Notes==

* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked<ref>http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/</ref>, causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuqiepu4UY 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.


===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido Mūn'')
*''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")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' ("Transformers: The Hidden Side of the Moon")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Lado Oscuro de la Luna''''' (America, "Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")

==Footnotes==
<references/>

==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]

[[Category: Dark of the Moon| (film)]]
[[Category: Real world films]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-05-18T15:54:42Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Confirmed information */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It is scheduled to be released on [[July 1]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5976 "Official 2011," Shootfortheedit.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

{{TOCclear}}

==Confirmed information==

[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]

*June 20, 2009 — [[Michael Bay]] will be returning to directing duties.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?p=92260#post92260</ref>

*October 1, 2009 — "Day One" of preproduction work. A story has apparently already been worked out. The day begins with a meeting between Bay and [[Industrial Light & Magic]] which is followed by Bay and writer [[Ehren Kruger]] flying to Rhode Island to meet with [[Hasbro]] about new characters. Bay confirms a proposed release date of July 1, 2011.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.html Michael Bay confirms the release date and "day one" of pre-production, posted on October 1, 2009]</ref>

*October 6, 2009 — [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] will not be returning to write the film. All writing duties have been given to Ehren Kruger.<ref>http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1403421#post1403421</ref>

*Michael Bay states on the video played at the end of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Blu-ray ''AllSpark Experiment'' game that the third film will go deeper into the Transformers' history (cue lots of [[Unicron]] imagery from ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'') and that it will have more screentime for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. But it does say in the message that he'll tell lies...

*January 5, 2010 — [[James Avery]] confirms he will be playing a new Autobot named Silverbolt. No word on if this is the same character as [[Silverbolt (ROTF)|ROTF Silverbolt]].<ref name="unscripted James Avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted]</ref>

*February 7, 2010 — [[Tony Todd]] said that he would be back in some capacity<ref>[http://denofgeek.com/movies/410537/tony_todd_interview_candyman_transformers_3_platoon_chuck_and_his_brand_new_projects.html Tony Todd interview at DenofGeek.com]</ref> On April 17, 2010, he hinted at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo 2010 that he will be playing a human character.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/tony-todd-to-play-a-human-in-transformers-3-169581/ Tony Todd To Play A Human In Transformers 3, TFW2005.com, April 27, 2010]</ref> However, on October 1,Todd stated that he is in fact not in ''Transformers'' 3.<ref>[http://screenrant.com/tony-todd-interview-hatchet-final-destination-robf-80905/2/ ScreenRant interviews Tony Todd, October 1, 2010.]</ref>

*March 2, 2010 — [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] are going to get updated/revised designs that in Bumblebee's case reflects his maturation.<ref>[http://scifiwire.com/2010/03/transformers-3s-optimus-b.php "Transformers 3's Optimus, Bumblebee getting makeovers" @ Sci-Fi Wire]</ref>

*March 22, 2010 — Michael Bay announces that [[Frances McDormand]], [[John Malkovich]], and [[Ken Jeong]] have joined the cast, as well as that a Ferrari 458 Italia will become the "newest Autobot".<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.html Transformers 3 Update from Michael Bay]</ref>

*April 7, 2010 — Variety reports that [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] will be returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="Variety April 7 2010">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3'', April 7, 2010]</ref>

*May 4, 2010 — Paramount Pictures confirms that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers'' 3 to play Mikaela Banes' boss.<ref>[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3", Hollywood Insider, May 4, 2010]</ref>

*May 11, 2010 — Michael Bay claims: "[[The Twins]] are not back in T3."<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7279-The-Twins-are-not-back-in-T3&p=137603#post137603 Official Michael Bay Forums May 11, 2010]</ref> If you believe that, we've got a [[space bridge]] for sale.

*May 19, 2010 — [[Megan Fox]] is suddenly dropped from the cast. A new love interest for the Sam character is slated to be cast.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J04920100520 "Megan Fox dropped from Transformers 3", Reuters.com May 19 2010]</ref>

*June 2, 2010 — Bay officially announces Fox's replacement as Sam's love interest: [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]].<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely">[http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2010/06/03/rosie-huntington-whiteley-confirmed-transformers-3 'Transformers 3' Officially Welcomes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Inside Movies.moviefone.com, June 3, 2010]</ref>

*June 6, 2010 — Representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumour that he has passed away, confirm that the actor is indeed alive and will be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-14650-Entertainment-Examiner~y2010m6d6-Uncle-Phil-James-Avery-isnt-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all, The Examiner, June 6, 2010]</ref>

*June 10, 2010 — USA Today reveals that the villain for ''Transformers 3'' will be Shockwave. Michael Bay and Lorenzo diBonaventura take some of the blame for the criticisms aimed at ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and acknowledge the problems the film had. Bay reveals that they will be getting rid of what he referred to as the "dorky comedy" seen in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and reiterates that the Twins were "basically gone", though [[John Turturro]] will return as comic relief. Additionally, the film will explore the [[Ghosts of Yesterday|Transformers' role in the space race]] and will be filmed in 3D.<ref name="USA Today June 20">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, June 10, 2010]</ref>

*June 24, 2010 — Several sources, among them the ''Chicago Tribune'' newspaper, confirm shooting locations for the film, including [[Chicago]], IL, and Milwaukee, WI, as well as repeat locations such as [[Los Angeles]], CA, [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Detroit]], MI.

*July 20, 2010 — Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, visits the Chicago set and reveals some news: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's character is named Carly,<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010">[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 20, 2010]</ref> former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] plays a soldier.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren, July 20, 2010]</ref> He later posts an official video of the shoot, revealing the latest modifications to the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] Chevy Camaro prop vehicle, as well as three partially-transformed NASCAR vehicles.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/13511383 Michael Bay Dot Com In Chicago on Vimeo, July 20, 2010]</ref>

*July 23, 2010 — An extended version of Nelson Lauren's official video depicts several more Transformer prop vehicles, including the Ferrari 458 Italia, a blue Mercedes-Benz E550 and a convertible version of [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]].<ref name="Extended official Chicago video">[http://vimeo.com/13572598 Michael Bay Dot Com in Chicago (Extended) on Vimeo, July 23, 2010]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — In reply to a thread at TFW2005.com speculating on the identity of the NASCAR Transformers, Nelson comments that the vehicles are referred to on set as the "[[Wrecker]]s".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/314458-nelson-nascar-trio-wreckers-15-post5053271.html Nelson Lauren refers to the NASCAR Transformers as "Wreckers", TFW2005.com, July 30, 2010.]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — [[Maile Flanagan]] announces at Otakon that she has been cast for the film, but due to her nondisclosure agreement can not discuss her role in the movie.<ref>Okaton 2010, Maile Flanagan Q&A</ref>

*July 31, 2010 — Nelson posts a picture of the Mercedes E550, seen on the set in Chicago, onto his flickr.com account, causing fans to misinterpret part of the photo title as a clue to the character's name ("Q").<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonlauren/4844557644/ Nelson Lauren's flickr.com uploaded picture of Mercedes E550 on Chicago set.]</ref> He later clarifies that isn't the case.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7595-Ok-has-the-bot-list-got-crazy-or-what!/page3</ref>

*August 2, 2010 — A new Autobot taking the form of a red Rosenbauer Panther airline fire truck is spotted in Chicago and confirmed to appear by Nelson. He asserts it is not Inferno or Hot Spot.<ref>http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-autobot-arrives-and-more-boom.html New Autobot Arrives and More Boom</ref>

*August 3, 2010 — Nelson confirms that Jolt is not returning.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/nelson---no-jolt-for-transformers-3-170344/ No Jolt for Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 6, 2010 — Nelson confirms at the Shoot For The Edit site, that Wheelie returns in the third film and Carly's car is a Mercedes-Benz.<ref name="Wheelie">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/wheelies-back-in-transformers-3-170366/ Wheelie's Back In Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 15, 2010 — [[Lester Speight]]'s character is named Hardcore Eddie.<ref name="Hardcore Eddie">[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/article.php?sid=14130 Rumor - Decepticon Is Offed in Transformers 3]</ref>

*October 6, 2010 — Listings for childrens books on Amazon.com reveal the title of the movie to be "Transformers: The Dark of the Moon," 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>

*October 11, 2010 — In a second major on-set accident, this time during Washington D.C. filming, a police SUV responding to an emergency call intersects with a stunt, resulting in it being struck in the passenger-side door by one of Bumblebee's stunt vehicles. Luckily no one is seriously injured.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1319918/Transformers-3-hit-second-accident-Stunt-car-slams-real-Police-SUV-unscripted-crash.html Transformers 3 hit by second on-set accident]</ref>

*October 31, 2010 — [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com] is updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

*[[December 8]], 2010 — iTunes released [http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ the official teaser trailer].

*December 14, 2010 — Nelson Lauren mentioned Bay filmed "those NASA, astronauts walking on the moon, and ''Ark'' scenes" in the teaser trailer.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8227-Cool-writeup-on-things-we-missed-in-the-Trailer.&p=155908&viewfull=1#post155908 Re: Cool writeup on things we missed in the Trailer.]</ref>

*December 14, 2010 — When asked if he would reprise the role, [[Corey Burton]], the voice of the [[Shockwave (G1)|G1]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|''Animated'']] Shockwaves, said he had heard rumors that David Warner, who inspired the character's voice, was being considered for the role. He added he had no interest in playing Shockwave for ''Dark of the Moon'', stating he was too busy and had no interest "in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement".<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton on Shockwave]</ref>

*January 4, 2011 — An Idaho paper reported [[Bill Fagerbakke]] would be voicing a Chevy Impala with machine guns in the film.<ref>[http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story Magic Valley article]</ref>

*January 11, 2011 — PopEater.com mentions that [[Tom Kenny]] is recording voices for the film.<ref>[http://www.popeater.com/2011/01/12/tom-kenny-spongebob-sarah-palin/ Tom Kenny: SpongeBob 'Tougher Than Sarah Palin', PopEater.com, Jan 12, 2011]</ref>

*January 14, 2011 — In an interview with the ''Los Angeles Times'', Bay reiterated that ''Dark of the Moon'' would be superior to ''Revenge of the Fallen'', which was plagued by scheduling problems. It is stated there will be a digital version of [[John F. Kennedy]] and the archive-reel footage of [[Walter Cronkite]] from the teaser would also be in the film. He also talked about the complexity of filming in 3D on location.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ Michael Bay ready to make you forget ‘Transformers 2′: ‘It was kind of a mess’]</ref> In an update of the article, it was confirmed [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would not be returning as [[Leo Spitz]], a departure from Bay's previous announcement in 2009 that he would have a larger role in the third film.<ref name="TFormers Rodriguez">[http://tformers.com/transformers-leo-spitz-to-have-expanded-role-in-transformers-3/11919/news.html Leo Spitz to Have Expanded Role in ''Transformers 3'' on TFormers]</ref>

*February 6, 2011 — A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kvT0pKju8&feature=youtube_gdata_player new teaser] is shown during the Super Bowl.

*February 10, 2011 — Bay confirmed Sentinel Prime's existence in ''Dark of the Moon''. In an interview with MTV, the director is quoted as saying "Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great."<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml February 10, 2011 interview with MTV about Sentinel Prime]</ref>

*February 11, 2011 — An ''Entertainment Weekly'' article showcasing some new toys confirms the roles of Sentinel Prime, Megatron and the ''Ark'' in the story.<ref>[http://ewinsidemovies.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/transformers-3-hasbro-toys/ 'Transformers 3' clues found in new Hasbro toys - exclusive]</ref>

*February 20, 2011 — As part of the promotions for ''Dark of the Moon'', Michael Bay, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel and the film prop versions of the three NASCAR Autobot Wreckers ([[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], and [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]) made appearances at the [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]]th. The Wreckers appeared both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap. During the television broadcast of the race, a new television spot for ''Dark of the Moon'' was aired.

*February 21, 2011 — Nelson reaffirmed that the Twins were being removed from the final cut of the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8570-Update&p=163786#post163786 Shoot for the Edit Update thread, February 21, 2011]</ref>

*February 28, 2011 — The April 2011 issue of ''Empire'' hits the stands, with an exclusive story on ''Dark of the Moon''. Depicted on the cover and inside the magazine are ILM's renders for Sentinel Prime and the redesigned Optimus Prime.

*March 31, 2011 — Entertainment Weekly's website announces that [[Leonard Nimoy]] will be voicing Sentinel Prime!<ref>[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's Involvement, March 31, 2011]</ref>

*April 10, 2011 — Micheal Bay commented on speculation that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that had been seen on set by claiming: "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's ''[sic, recte companies]'' 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>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598#post169598 "Is Soundwave the silver Mercedes on set of DOTM", Michael Bay, shootfortheedit.com, April 10, 2011]</ref>

*April 14, 2011 — Mike Shinoda of [[Linkin Park]] confirmed that their song, ''Iridescent'', would be the single for ''Dark of the Moon'', a shorter version of the song would be used in the film and that they would be shooting a music video for it.

*April 15, 2011 — Michael Bay confirmed a trailer with ''Fast Five'' on April 29, and a 3D trailer with ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' on May 20.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170187&viewfull=1#post170187 Re: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref> He also screened 20 minutes of footage to the press, as well as five minutes of 3D footage. Bay spoke about how hard it was to tap into the magic of the first film as audiences had grown desensitized to the wonder of the Transformers. He spoke of it being darker, mature and emotional, with the stakes higher due to it being set in American city. He and Kruger compared the film to ''[[Wikipedia:Black Hawk Down|Black Hawk Down]]'', with no cavalry to rescue the heroes. He also spoke about blocking off a mile and a half of Chicago's streets for a scene involving stuntmen in wing suits diving off Sears Tower. Additionally, he reiterated that we shouldn't expect to see the Twins in this movie,<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76485 Michael Bay Previews Transformers: Dark of the Moon! Ryan Turek, Coming Soon.net, April 15, 2011]</ref> and that [[Frank Welker]] will be returning for voice duties.<ref name="uncut roundtable interview"/>

*April 15, 2011 — Lyricis Interactive uploads a promotional render of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]].<ref>[http://www.lyricis.fr/cinema-serie-tv/sentinel-prime-se-devoile/ Transformers 3 : Sentinel Prime se dévoile, April 15, 2011]</ref> <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-sentinel-prime-promo-image-revealed-171918/ Image mirrored at TFW2005.com]</ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Carly's last name is revealed to be Miller via an image caption at AllMoviePhoto.com. <ref> http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2011_transformer_dark_of_the_moon_001.html </ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Nelson confirmed the trailer will be online on Apple on April 28, at 7pm (East Coast time).<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170380&viewfull=1#post170380 Re: Updated: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref>

*April 28, 2011 — The second trailer is released on Apple iTunes Movie trailers<ref>[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Transformers: Dark of the Moon, trailers.apple.com]</ref>, as well as MichaelBay.com's accounts on Youtube<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilA0gggRFyQ Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, michealbaydotcom account, youtube.com]</ref>, and Vimeo<ref>[http://vimeo.com/23012123 Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, Michael Bay Dot Com account, Vimeo.com]</ref>

*May 2, 2011 — [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ Transformers.com] is updated and the [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] is added, providing a plethora of new information (including some new characters). '''BEWARE OF PLOT SPOILERS'''

*May 12, 2011 — On the Marquee Blog it states that [[Hugo Weaving]] has been quite busy voicing Megatron in Dark of the Moon.<ref>http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/12/hugo-weaving-returns-to-middle-earth-in-hobbit/</ref>.

*May 14, 2011 — Capone of Ain't It Cool News posts his thoughts on an early screening of the film, clarifying names of some of the characters (such as Frances McDormand's) and reiterating Bay's claim that the Twins are not in the film. <ref name="AICN">[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/49648 Capone's AICN review.]</ref>

*May 14, 2011 — On his official message board, Michael Bay once again says the Twins are not in the film, offering a $25,000 to anyone who can see them performing in the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?9072-25-000-Reward Michael Bay's $25,000 reward thread]</ref> He goes on to add that the brief glimpse of them in the trailer is a trailer shot that is not used in the final cut. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?9072-25-000-Reward&p=175787&viewfull=1#post175787 Bay clarifying why the Twins are briefly glimpsed in the film]</ref>



==Main cast==


{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5822 Exclusive: Peter Cullen on Transformers! on SuperHeroHype]</ref>
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]<ref name="Extended official Chicago video"/>
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime" /> ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]]<ref name="comicadaptation">[[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' Movie Adaptation]]</ref>
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]]<ref name="Wheelie"/>
*[[Brains]]<ref name="uncut roundtable interview">[http://www.slashfilm.com/interview-michael-bay-talks-transformers-dark-moon/ Interview: Michael Bay talks 'Dark of the Moon']</ref>
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]
*[[Silverbolt (DOTM)|Silverbolt]] ([[James Avery]])<ref name="unscripted James Avery"/>
|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/165127-preview-of-activisions-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-video-game Superhero Hype! DOTM game preview]</ref>
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Driller]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])<ref>[http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Exclusive Interview with Shia LaBeouf and Brian Geraghty on About.com]</ref>
*[[Carly Miller]]<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010"/> ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely"/>
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/showestnews.php?id=64373 ShoWest 2010: Josh Duhamel Back for ''Transformers 3'']</ref>
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])<ref>[http://twitter.com/Tyrese4ReaL/status/8867232956 Note on Tyrese Gibson's Twitter]</ref>
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] ([[Frances McDormand]])<ref name="AICN"/>
*[[Dylan]] ([[Patrick Dempsey]])<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*Bruce ([[John Malkovich]])<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/john-malkovich-talks-about-his-character-in-transformers-3-reveals-the-character-name-170678/ John Malkovich Talks About His Character In Transformers 3, Reveals The Character Name - Transformers News]</ref>
*Hardcore Eddie ([[Lester Speight]])<ref name="Hardcore Eddie"/>
*Unknown, most likely [[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]]) <ref>[http://glennmorshower.com/Actor.html Glenn Morshower's website]</ref>
*Simmons's assistant ([[Alan Tudyk]])<ref>[http://fromhollywoodwithluv.blogspot.com/2010/08/exclusive-alan-tudyk-reveals-his_03.html From Hollywood with Love interview with Tudyk]</ref>
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref>
*[[Buzz Aldrin]]<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref> ([[Cory Tucker]])<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/18/don-jeanes-talks-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-and-more/ Skewed magazine nterview with Don Jeanes]</ref>
|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}


==Posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Notes==

* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked<ref>http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/</ref>, causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuqiepu4UY 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.


===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido Mūn'')
*''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")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' ("Transformers: The Hidden Side of the Moon")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Lado Oscuro de la Luna''''' (America, "Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")

==Footnotes==
<references/>

==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]

[[Category: Dark of the Moon| (film)]]
[[Category: Real world films]]

Hugo Weaving

2011-05-16T18:58:49Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Notes */

{{factions|sector7}}
[[Image:HugoWeaving.jpg|right|253px|thumb|Never send a human to do a machine's job.]]
'''Hugo Weaving''' (born [[April 4]], [[1960]]) is an [[Australia]]n actor, perhaps best known for his roles as Agent Smith in ''The Matrix'' and as Elrond in ''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy of films. He gained his first experience as a voice actor in the ''Babe'' films, where he played Rex the sheepdog, the titular hero's foster father.

In [[Sector Seven (game)|one universe]], he's really an undercover agent working for [[Sector Seven]], trying to hide the [[N.B.E.|N.B.E.s]] from the public and covering it up by acting in fictional movies, like that thing with the jewellery or the internet that plugs into your brain. This is all, of course, to keep you from seeing the [[Transformers (2007)|historical documentary]]. Or make you see it. Either way works.

==Voice roles==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
*Megatron

===''Dark of the Moon''===
*Megatron

==Fiction==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
Sector Seven agent H. Weaving convinced [[Steven Spielberg|S.S.]], [[Michael Bay|M.B.]], [[Roberto Orci|R.O.]], and [[Alex Kurtzman|A.K.]] to put him in charge of the "[[Megatron (Movie)|Megaman]] issue." {{storylink|Sector Seven|Sector Seven ARG}}

{{note|In the Sector Seven ARG (Alternate Reality Game), [[Transformers (2007)]] and all related fiction, materials, and promotional materials are actually a [[Hungry Dragon|counter-information campaign]] designed to discredit leaks and cover up the existence of N.B.E.s by presenting the facts about them as fictional events. It is suggested that [[Generation 1]] was a similar campaign.}}

==Notes==
*In a television interview on June 13th, 2007 in Australia on the Ten Network's news hour, director [[Michael Bay]] stated that Weaving had recorded his lines as Megatron in Australia while Bay directed him from the U.S. using Apple ''iChat'', and thus, he had never actually met the actor.
*In a November 2008 interview for the Sun Herald, Weaving revealed he had accepted the role of Megatron after a personal request by Bay, and he had in fact never seen ''Transformers''. He's still awesome though.{{fact}}
*During his revelation of his return to ''Transformers'' in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' on March 4, 2009, Weaving stated that he had already recorded his dialogue, once again with Bay in [[Los Angeles]] while he was in Australia. He said that during recording he had a strange conversation where Bay implied that what they were doing was supposed to be a big secret. <ref name="hugoweaving">[http://blogs.news.com.au/adelaidenow/turkeyshoot/index.php/adelaidenow/comments/weaving_confirms_megatrons_return_in_transformers_revenge_of_the_fallen AdelaideNow blog report on Weaving's return to ''Transformers''.]</ref>
*He wasn't aware until told during an interview that there was a [[Transformers 3|third movie in the making]]. [http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=9078]

*Hugo Weaving will provide the voice for Megatron once again in Dark of the Moon.<ref>http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/12/hugo-weaving-returns-to-middle-earth-in-hobbit/</ref>

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915989/ Hugo Weaving at the Internet Movie Database]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Weaving, Hugo}}
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:English voice actors]]
[[Category:Movie humans]]
[[Category:Real people]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Sector Seven]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-05-16T18:56:26Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Dark of the Moon film */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is often referred to as "Lord Megatron". Known to humans as both "The Ice Man" and "The Mega-Man" and more formally as [[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial|N.B.E.]]-01''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

Once the [[Lord High Protector]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the "[[brother]]" of the science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], '''Megatron''' is vicious, extremely powerful, single-minded in his goals, straight-forward and brutally direct. He is all "blunt force" in contrast to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s penchant for deceit and trickery. On the downside, Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans (otherwise, he likely wouldn't have melted into ice-cold arctic water after being white hot from falling through [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, and spent ten-thousand years as a [[wikipedia:popsicle|popsicle]]), and even crippling injuries in pursuit of the coveted item. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Even the destruction of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Autobot]]s is a secondary concern. In Megatron's cerebral processor, all that has become important are the whims of his [[The Fallen|master]] and, by extension, the [[AllSpark]].

While [[Megatron (disambiguation)|some]] merely dislike or disregard humans, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards them and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner. Even if there was no AllSpark, it's not hard to imagine that Megatron would have come to this planet anyway, just to cleanse one more world of its organic infection.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 2}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

High Protector Megatron, the supreme commander of the Cybertronian defense forces and firm leader of all of Cybertron, once ruled the entire planet seemingly side-by-side with Optimus Prime, protecting their world against all perceived hostile threats. For generations, the two ruled in peace—Megatron firm, with Prime being fair, creating an even (if sometimes strained) governmental balance. When Commander [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near the temple at [[Simfur]] and the unusual pulse waves that the [[AllSpark]] had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in the capital of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]]. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]
Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle until Optimus Prime made his most dangerous gamble. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 2}}{{storylink|Foundation issue 3}}

During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

[[Image:MoviePrequel2-Megatrondownfall.jpg|thumb|200px|]]

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}} In [[1969]], Megatron was at last transferred from the Arctic to the Hoover Dam headquarters. as Walter Simmons stayed looking at him. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2|Rising Storm #2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|Adaptations based on early drafts of the script show Megatron hoped to become a Prime under the Fallen. However, during Optimus' final battle with the ancient villain, he revealed Primes were born, not made. Here, Megatron was angered that he had been misled, refusing to aid his master and vowed never to serve anyone again. Optimus is revealed to be an orphan who was "hidden" from The Fallen, further indicating he is not biologically related to Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Revenge of the Fallen}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|Revenge of the Fallen}}}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English)
{{comingsoon|unreleased|when=July 1, 2011}}
{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
{{comingsoon}}
{{-}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name - imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' The two-disc special edition of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD also gives him a height of 35 feet.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Starships]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-05-14T17:04:40Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Main cast */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It is scheduled to be released on [[July 1]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5976 "Official 2011," Shootfortheedit.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

:''Japanese title: '''Transformers: Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー　ダークサイド・ムーン, ''Toransufōmā Dākusaidomūn'')<ref>http://news.livedoor.com/article/image_detail/5346087/?img_id=1722734</ref>
:''Brazilian title: '''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' (''Transformers: The Hidden Side of the Moon'')
:''Latin American Spanish title: '''Transformers: El Lado Oscuro de la Luna''''' (''Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon'')
:''French name: '''Transformers 3: La Face Cachée de La Lune''''' (''Transformers 3: The Hidden Side of the Moon'')

{{TOCclear}}

==Confirmed information==

[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]

*June 20, 2009 — [[Michael Bay]] will be returning to directing duties.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?p=92260#post92260</ref>

*October 1, 2009 — "Day One" of preproduction work. A story has apparently already been worked out. The day begins with a meeting between Bay and [[Industrial Light & Magic]] which is followed by Bay and writer [[Ehren Kruger]] flying to Rhode Island to meet with [[Hasbro]] about new characters. Bay confirms a proposed release date of July 1, 2011.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.html Michael Bay confirms the release date and "day one" of pre-production, posted on October 1, 2009]</ref>

*October 6, 2009 — [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] will not be returning to write the film. All writing duties have been given to Ehren Kruger.<ref>http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1403421#post1403421</ref>

*Michael Bay states on the video played at the end of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Blu-ray ''AllSpark Experiment'' game that the third film will go deeper into the Transformers' history (cue lots of [[Unicron]] imagery from ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'') and that it will have more screentime for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. But it does say in the message that he'll tell lies...

*January 5, 2010 — [[James Avery]] confirms he will be playing a new Autobot named Silverbolt. No word on if this is the same character as [[Silverbolt (ROTF)|ROTF Silverbolt]].<ref name="unscripted James Avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted]</ref>

*February 7, 2010 — [[Tony Todd]] said that he would be back in some capacity<ref>[http://denofgeek.com/movies/410537/tony_todd_interview_candyman_transformers_3_platoon_chuck_and_his_brand_new_projects.html Tony Todd interview at DenofGeek.com]</ref> On April 17, 2010, he hinted at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo 2010 that he will be playing a human character.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/tony-todd-to-play-a-human-in-transformers-3-169581/ Tony Todd To Play A Human In Transformers 3, TFW2005.com, April 27, 2010]</ref> However, on October 1,Todd stated that he is in fact not in ''Transformers'' 3.<ref>[http://screenrant.com/tony-todd-interview-hatchet-final-destination-robf-80905/2/ ScreenRant interviews Tony Todd, October 1, 2010.]</ref>

*March 2, 2010 — [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] are going to get updated/revised designs that in Bumblebee's case reflects his maturation.<ref>[http://scifiwire.com/2010/03/transformers-3s-optimus-b.php "Transformers 3's Optimus, Bumblebee getting makeovers" @ Sci-Fi Wire]</ref>

*March 22, 2010 — Michael Bay announces that [[Frances McDormand]], [[John Malkovich]], and [[Ken Jeong]] have joined the cast, as well as that a Ferrari 458 Italia will become the "newest Autobot".<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.html Transformers 3 Update from Michael Bay]</ref>

*April 7, 2010 — Variety reports that [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] will be returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="Variety April 7 2010">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3'', April 7, 2010]</ref>

*May 4, 2010 — Paramount Pictures confirms that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers'' 3 to play Mikaela Banes' boss.<ref>[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3", Hollywood Insider, May 4, 2010]</ref>

*May 11, 2010 — Michael Bay claims: "[[The Twins]] are not back in T3."<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7279-The-Twins-are-not-back-in-T3&p=137603#post137603 Official Michael Bay Forums May 11, 2010]</ref> If you believe that, we've got a [[space bridge]] for sale.

*May 19, 2010 — [[Megan Fox]] is suddenly dropped from the cast. A new love interest for the Sam character is slated to be cast.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J04920100520 "Megan Fox dropped from Transformers 3", Reuters.com May 19 2010]</ref>

*June 2, 2010 — Bay officially announces Fox's replacement as Sam's love interest: [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]].<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely">[http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2010/06/03/rosie-huntington-whiteley-confirmed-transformers-3 'Transformers 3' Officially Welcomes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Inside Movies.moviefone.com, June 3, 2010]</ref>

*June 6, 2010 — Representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumour that he has passed away, confirm that the actor is indeed alive and will be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-14650-Entertainment-Examiner~y2010m6d6-Uncle-Phil-James-Avery-isnt-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all, The Examiner, June 6, 2010]</ref>

*June 10, 2010 — USA Today reveals that the villain for ''Transformers 3'' will be Shockwave. Michael Bay and Lorenzo diBonaventura take some of the blame for the criticisms aimed at ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and acknowledge the problems the film had. Bay reveals that they will be getting rid of what he referred to as the "dorky comedy" seen in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and reiterates that the Twins were "basically gone", though [[John Turturro]] will return as comic relief. Additionally, the film will explore the [[Ghosts of Yesterday|Transformers' role in the space race]] and will be filmed in 3D.<ref name="USA Today June 20">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, June 10, 2010]</ref>

*June 24, 2010 — Several sources, among them the ''Chicago Tribune'' newspaper, confirm shooting locations for the film, including [[Chicago]], IL, and Milwaukee, WI, as well as repeat locations such as [[Los Angeles]], CA, [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Detroit]], MI.

*July 20, 2010 — Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, visits the Chicago set and reveals some news: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's character is named Carly,<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010">[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 20, 2010]</ref> former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] plays a soldier.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren, July 20, 2010]</ref> He later posts an official video of the shoot, revealing the latest modifications to the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] Chevy Camaro prop vehicle, as well as three partially-transformed NASCAR vehicles.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/13511383 Michael Bay Dot Com In Chicago on Vimeo, July 20, 2010]</ref>

*July 23, 2010 — An extended version of Nelson Lauren's official video depicts several more Transformer prop vehicles, including the Ferrari 458 Italia, a blue Mercedes-Benz E550 and a convertible version of [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]].<ref name="Extended official Chicago video">[http://vimeo.com/13572598 Michael Bay Dot Com in Chicago (Extended) on Vimeo, July 23, 2010]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — In reply to a thread at TFW2005.com speculating on the identity of the NASCAR Transformers, Nelson comments that the vehicles are referred to on set as the "[[Wrecker]]s".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/314458-nelson-nascar-trio-wreckers-15-post5053271.html Nelson Lauren refers to the NASCAR Transformers as "Wreckers", TFW2005.com, July 30, 2010.]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — [[Maile Flanagan]] announces at Otakon that she has been cast for the film, but due to her nondisclosure agreement can not discuss her role in the movie.<ref>Okaton 2010, Maile Flanagan Q&A</ref>

*July 31, 2010 — Nelson posts a picture of the Mercedes E550, seen on the set in Chicago, onto his flickr.com account, causing fans to misinterpret part of the photo title as a clue to the character's name ("Q").<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonlauren/4844557644/ Nelson Lauren's flickr.com uploaded picture of Mercedes E550 on Chicago set.]</ref> He later clarifies that isn't the case.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7595-Ok-has-the-bot-list-got-crazy-or-what!/page3</ref>

*August 2, 2010 — A new Autobot taking the form of a red Rosenbauer Panther airline fire truck is spotted in Chicago and confirmed to appear by Nelson. He asserts it is not Inferno or Hot Spot.<ref>http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-autobot-arrives-and-more-boom.html New Autobot Arrives and More Boom</ref>

*August 3, 2010 — Nelson confirms that Jolt is not returning.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/nelson---no-jolt-for-transformers-3-170344/ No Jolt for Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 6, 2010 — Nelson confirms at the Shoot For The Edit site, that Wheelie returns in the third film and Carly's car is a Mercedes-Benz.<ref name="Wheelie">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/wheelies-back-in-transformers-3-170366/ Wheelie's Back In Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 15, 2010 — [[Lester Speight]]'s character is named Hardcore Eddie.<ref name="Hardcore Eddie">[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/article.php?sid=14130 Rumor - Decepticon Is Offed in Transformers 3]</ref>

*October 6, 2010 — Listings for childrens books on Amazon.com reveal the title of the movie to be "Transformers: The Dark of the Moon," 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>

*October 11, 2010 — In a second major on-set accident, this time during Washington D.C. filming, a police SUV responding to an emergency call intersects with a stunt, resulting in it being struck in the passenger-side door by one of Bumblebee's stunt vehicles. Luckily no one is seriously injured.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1319918/Transformers-3-hit-second-accident-Stunt-car-slams-real-Police-SUV-unscripted-crash.html Transformers 3 hit by second on-set accident]</ref>

*October 31, 2010 — [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com] is updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

*[[December 8]], 2010 — iTunes released [http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ the official teaser trailer].

*December 14, 2010 — Nelson Lauren mentioned Bay filmed "those NASA, astronauts walking on the moon, and ''Ark'' scenes" in the teaser trailer.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8227-Cool-writeup-on-things-we-missed-in-the-Trailer.&p=155908&viewfull=1#post155908 Re: Cool writeup on things we missed in the Trailer.]</ref>

*December 14, 2010 — When asked if he would reprise the role, [[Corey Burton]], the voice of the [[Shockwave (G1)|G1]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|''Animated'']] Shockwaves, said he had heard rumors that David Warner, who inspired the character's voice, was being considered for the role. He added he had no interest in playing Shockwave for ''Dark of the Moon'', stating he was too busy and had no interest "in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement".<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton on Shockwave]</ref>

*January 4, 2011 — An Idaho paper reported [[Bill Fagerbakke]] would be voicing a Chevy Impala with machine guns in the film.<ref>[http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story Magic Valley article]</ref>

*January 11, 2011 — PopEater.com mentions that [[Tom Kenny]] is recording voices for the film.<ref>[http://www.popeater.com/2011/01/12/tom-kenny-spongebob-sarah-palin/ Tom Kenny: SpongeBob 'Tougher Than Sarah Palin', PopEater.com, Jan 12, 2011]</ref>

*January 14, 2011 — In an interview with the ''Los Angeles Times'', Bay reiterated that ''Dark of the Moon'' would be superior to ''Revenge of the Fallen'', which was plagued by scheduling problems. It is stated there will be a digital version of [[John F. Kennedy]] and the archive-reel footage of [[Walter Cronkite]] from the teaser would also be in the film. He also talked about the complexity of filming in 3D on location.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ Michael Bay ready to make you forget ‘Transformers 2′: ‘It was kind of a mess’]</ref> In an update of the article, it was confirmed [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would not be returning as [[Leo Spitz]], a departure from Bay's previous announcement in 2009 that he would have a larger role in the third film.<ref name="TFormers Rodriguez">[http://tformers.com/transformers-leo-spitz-to-have-expanded-role-in-transformers-3/11919/news.html Leo Spitz to Have Expanded Role in ''Transformers 3'' on TFormers]</ref>

*February 6, 2011 — A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kvT0pKju8&feature=youtube_gdata_player new teaser] is shown during the Super Bowl.

*February 10, 2011 — Bay confirmed Sentinel Prime's existence in ''Dark of the Moon''. In an interview with MTV, the director is quoted as saying "Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great."<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml February 10, 2011 interview with MTV about Sentinel Prime]</ref>

*February 11, 2011 — An ''Entertainment Weekly'' article showcasing some new toys confirms the roles of Sentinel Prime, Megatron and the ''Ark'' in the story.<ref>[http://ewinsidemovies.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/transformers-3-hasbro-toys/ 'Transformers 3' clues found in new Hasbro toys - exclusive]</ref>

*February 20, 2011 — As part of the promotions for ''Dark of the Moon'', Michael Bay, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel and the film prop versions of the three NASCAR Autobot Wreckers ([[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], and [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]) made appearances at the [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]]th. The Wreckers appeared both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap. During the television broadcast of the race, a new television spot for ''Dark of the Moon'' was aired.

*February 21, 2011 — Nelson reaffirmed that the Twins were being removed from the final cut of the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8570-Update&p=163786#post163786 Shoot for the Edit Update thread, February 21, 2011]</ref>

*February 28, 2011 — The April 2011 issue of ''Empire'' hits the stands, with an exclusive story on ''Dark of the Moon''. Depicted on the cover and inside the magazine are ILM's renders for Sentinel Prime and the redesigned Optimus Prime.

*March 31, 2011 — Entertainment Weekly's website announces that [[Leonard Nimoy]] will be voicing Sentinel Prime!<ref>[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's Involvement, March 31, 2011]</ref>

*April 10, 2011 — Micheal Bay commented on speculation that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that had been seen on set by claiming: "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's ''[sic, recte companies]'' 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>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598#post169598 "Is Soundwave the silver Mercedes on set of DOTM", Michael Bay, shootfortheedit.com, April 10, 2011]</ref>

*April 14, 2011 — Mike Shinoda of [[Linkin Park]] confirmed that their song, ''Iridescent'', would be the single for ''Dark of the Moon'', a shorter version of the song would be used in the film and that they would be shooting a music video for it.

*April 15, 2011 — Michael Bay confirmed a trailer with ''Fast Five'' on April 29, and a 3D trailer with ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' on May 20.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170187&viewfull=1#post170187 Re: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref> He also screened 20 minutes of footage to the press, as well as five minutes of 3D footage. Bay spoke about how hard it was to tap into the magic of the first film as audiences had grown desensitized to the wonder of the Transformers. He spoke of it being darker, mature and emotional, with the stakes higher due to it being set in American city. He and Kruger compared the film to ''[[Wikipedia:Black Hawk Down|Black Hawk Down]]'', with no cavalry to rescue the heroes. He also spoke about blocking off a mile and a half of Chicago's streets for a scene involving stuntmen in wing suits diving off Sears Tower. Additionally, he reiterated that we shouldn't expect to see the Twins in this movie,<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76485 Michael Bay Previews Transformers: Dark of the Moon! Ryan Turek, Coming Soon.net, April 15, 2011]</ref> and that [[Frank Welker]] will be returning for voice duties.<ref name="uncut roundtable interview"/>

*April 15, 2011 — Lyricis Interactive uploads a promotional render of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]].<ref>[http://www.lyricis.fr/cinema-serie-tv/sentinel-prime-se-devoile/ Transformers 3 : Sentinel Prime se dévoile, April 15, 2011]</ref> <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-sentinel-prime-promo-image-revealed-171918/ Image mirrored at TFW2005.com]</ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Carly's last name is revealed to be Miller via an image caption at AllMoviePhoto.com. <ref> http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2011_transformer_dark_of_the_moon_001.html </ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Nelson confirmed the trailer will be online on Apple on April 28, at 7pm (East Coast time).<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170380&viewfull=1#post170380 Re: Updated: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref>

*April 28, 2011 — The second trailer is released on Apple iTunes Movie trailers<ref>[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Transformers: Dark of the Moon, trailers.apple.com]</ref>, as well as MichaelBay.com's accounts on Youtube<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilA0gggRFyQ Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, michealbaydotcom account, youtube.com]</ref>, and Vimeo<ref>[http://vimeo.com/23012123 Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, Michael Bay Dot Com account, Vimeo.com]</ref>

*May 2, 2011 — [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ Transformers.com] is updated and the [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] is added, providing a plethora of new information (including some new characters). '''BEWARE OF PLOT SPOILERS'''

*May 12, 2011 — On the Marquee Blog it states that [[Hugo Weaving]] has been quite busy voicing Megatron in Dark of the Moon. <ref>http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/12/hugo-weaving-returns-to-middle-earth-in-hobbit/</ref>.



==Main cast==


{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5822 Exclusive: Peter Cullen on Transformers! on SuperHeroHype]</ref>
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]<ref name="Extended official Chicago video"/>
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime" /> ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]]<ref name="comicadaptation">[[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' Movie Adaptation]]</ref>
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]]<ref name="Wheelie"/>
*[[Brains]]<ref name="uncut roundtable interview">[http://www.slashfilm.com/interview-michael-bay-talks-transformers-dark-moon/ Interview: Michael Bay talks 'Dark of the Moon']</ref>
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]
*[[Silverbolt (DOTM)|Silverbolt]] ([[James Avery]])<ref name="unscripted James Avery"/>
|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/165127-preview-of-activisions-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-video-game Superhero Hype! DOTM game preview]</ref>
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Driller]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])<ref>[http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Exclusive Interview with Shia LaBeouf and Brian Geraghty on About.com]</ref>
*[[Carly Miller]]<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010"/> ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely"/>
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/showestnews.php?id=64373 ShoWest 2010: Josh Duhamel Back for ''Transformers 3'']</ref>
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])<ref>[http://twitter.com/Tyrese4ReaL/status/8867232956 Note on Tyrese Gibson's Twitter]</ref>
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] ([[Frances McDormand]])<ref>[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/49648 Capone's AICN review.]</ref>
*[[Dylan]] ([[Patrick Dempsey]])<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*Bruce ([[John Malkovich]])<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/john-malkovich-talks-about-his-character-in-transformers-3-reveals-the-character-name-170678/ John Malkovich Talks About His Character In Transformers 3, Reveals The Character Name - Transformers News]</ref>
*Hardcore Eddie ([[Lester Speight]])<ref name="Hardcore Eddie"/>
*Unknown, most likely [[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]]) <ref>[http://glennmorshower.com/Actor.html Glenn Morshower's website]</ref>
*Simmons's assistant ([[Alan Tudyk]])<ref>[http://fromhollywoodwithluv.blogspot.com/2010/08/exclusive-alan-tudyk-reveals-his_03.html From Hollywood with Love interview with Tudyk]</ref>
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref>
*[[Buzz Aldrin]]<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref> ([[Cory Tucker]])<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/18/don-jeanes-talks-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-and-more/ Skewed magazine nterview with Don Jeanes]</ref>
|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}


==Posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Notes==

* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked<ref>http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/</ref>, causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuqiepu4UY 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.


==Footnotes==
<references/>

==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]

[[Category: Dark of the Moon| (film)]]
[[Category: Real world films]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-05-14T11:41:45Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Confirmed information */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It is scheduled to be released on [[July 1]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5976 "Official 2011," Shootfortheedit.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

:''Japanese title: '''Transformers: Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー　ダークサイド・ムーン, ''Toransufōmā Dākusaidomūn'')<ref>http://news.livedoor.com/article/image_detail/5346087/?img_id=1722734</ref>
:''Brazilian title: '''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' (''Transformers: The Hidden Side of the Moon'')
:''Latin American Spanish title: '''Transformers: El Lado Oscuro de la Luna''''' (''Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon'')
:''French name: '''Transformers 3: La Face Cachée de La Lune''''' (''Transformers 3: The Hidden Side of the Moon'')

{{TOCclear}}

==Confirmed information==

[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]

*June 20, 2009 — [[Michael Bay]] will be returning to directing duties.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?p=92260#post92260</ref>

*October 1, 2009 — "Day One" of preproduction work. A story has apparently already been worked out. The day begins with a meeting between Bay and [[Industrial Light & Magic]] which is followed by Bay and writer [[Ehren Kruger]] flying to Rhode Island to meet with [[Hasbro]] about new characters. Bay confirms a proposed release date of July 1, 2011.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.html Michael Bay confirms the release date and "day one" of pre-production, posted on October 1, 2009]</ref>

*October 6, 2009 — [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] will not be returning to write the film. All writing duties have been given to Ehren Kruger.<ref>http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1403421#post1403421</ref>

*Michael Bay states on the video played at the end of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Blu-ray ''AllSpark Experiment'' game that the third film will go deeper into the Transformers' history (cue lots of [[Unicron]] imagery from ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'') and that it will have more screentime for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. But it does say in the message that he'll tell lies...

*January 5, 2010 — [[James Avery]] confirms he will be playing a new Autobot named Silverbolt. No word on if this is the same character as [[Silverbolt (ROTF)|ROTF Silverbolt]].<ref name="unscripted James Avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted]</ref>

*February 7, 2010 — [[Tony Todd]] said that he would be back in some capacity<ref>[http://denofgeek.com/movies/410537/tony_todd_interview_candyman_transformers_3_platoon_chuck_and_his_brand_new_projects.html Tony Todd interview at DenofGeek.com]</ref> On April 17, 2010, he hinted at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo 2010 that he will be playing a human character.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/tony-todd-to-play-a-human-in-transformers-3-169581/ Tony Todd To Play A Human In Transformers 3, TFW2005.com, April 27, 2010]</ref> However, on October 1,Todd stated that he is in fact not in ''Transformers'' 3.<ref>[http://screenrant.com/tony-todd-interview-hatchet-final-destination-robf-80905/2/ ScreenRant interviews Tony Todd, October 1, 2010.]</ref>

*March 2, 2010 — [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] are going to get updated/revised designs that in Bumblebee's case reflects his maturation.<ref>[http://scifiwire.com/2010/03/transformers-3s-optimus-b.php "Transformers 3's Optimus, Bumblebee getting makeovers" @ Sci-Fi Wire]</ref>

*March 22, 2010 — Michael Bay announces that [[Frances McDormand]], [[John Malkovich]], and [[Ken Jeong]] have joined the cast, as well as that a Ferrari 458 Italia will become the "newest Autobot".<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.html Transformers 3 Update from Michael Bay]</ref>

*April 7, 2010 — Variety reports that [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] will be returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="Variety April 7 2010">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3'', April 7, 2010]</ref>

*May 4, 2010 — Paramount Pictures confirms that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers'' 3 to play Mikaela Banes' boss.<ref>[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3", Hollywood Insider, May 4, 2010]</ref>

*May 11, 2010 — Michael Bay claims: "[[The Twins]] are not back in T3."<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7279-The-Twins-are-not-back-in-T3&p=137603#post137603 Official Michael Bay Forums May 11, 2010]</ref> If you believe that, we've got a [[space bridge]] for sale.

*May 19, 2010 — [[Megan Fox]] is suddenly dropped from the cast. A new love interest for the Sam character is slated to be cast.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J04920100520 "Megan Fox dropped from Transformers 3", Reuters.com May 19 2010]</ref>

*June 2, 2010 — Bay officially announces Fox's replacement as Sam's love interest: [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]].<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely">[http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2010/06/03/rosie-huntington-whiteley-confirmed-transformers-3 'Transformers 3' Officially Welcomes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Inside Movies.moviefone.com, June 3, 2010]</ref>

*June 6, 2010 — Representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumour that he has passed away, confirm that the actor is indeed alive and will be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-14650-Entertainment-Examiner~y2010m6d6-Uncle-Phil-James-Avery-isnt-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all, The Examiner, June 6, 2010]</ref>

*June 10, 2010 — USA Today reveals that the villain for ''Transformers 3'' will be Shockwave. Michael Bay and Lorenzo diBonaventura take some of the blame for the criticisms aimed at ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and acknowledge the problems the film had. Bay reveals that they will be getting rid of what he referred to as the "dorky comedy" seen in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and reiterates that the Twins were "basically gone", though [[John Turturro]] will return as comic relief. Additionally, the film will explore the [[Ghosts of Yesterday|Transformers' role in the space race]] and will be filmed in 3D.<ref name="USA Today June 20">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, June 10, 2010]</ref>

*June 24, 2010 — Several sources, among them the ''Chicago Tribune'' newspaper, confirm shooting locations for the film, including [[Chicago]], IL, and Milwaukee, WI, as well as repeat locations such as [[Los Angeles]], CA, [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Detroit]], MI.

*July 20, 2010 — Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, visits the Chicago set and reveals some news: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's character is named Carly,<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010">[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 20, 2010]</ref> former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] plays a soldier.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren, July 20, 2010]</ref> He later posts an official video of the shoot, revealing the latest modifications to the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] Chevy Camaro prop vehicle, as well as three partially-transformed NASCAR vehicles.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/13511383 Michael Bay Dot Com In Chicago on Vimeo, July 20, 2010]</ref>

*July 23, 2010 — An extended version of Nelson Lauren's official video depicts several more Transformer prop vehicles, including the Ferrari 458 Italia, a blue Mercedes-Benz E550 and a convertible version of [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]].<ref name="Extended official Chicago video">[http://vimeo.com/13572598 Michael Bay Dot Com in Chicago (Extended) on Vimeo, July 23, 2010]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — In reply to a thread at TFW2005.com speculating on the identity of the NASCAR Transformers, Nelson comments that the vehicles are referred to on set as the "[[Wrecker]]s".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/314458-nelson-nascar-trio-wreckers-15-post5053271.html Nelson Lauren refers to the NASCAR Transformers as "Wreckers", TFW2005.com, July 30, 2010.]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — [[Maile Flanagan]] announces at Otakon that she has been cast for the film, but due to her nondisclosure agreement can not discuss her role in the movie.<ref>Okaton 2010, Maile Flanagan Q&A</ref>

*July 31, 2010 — Nelson posts a picture of the Mercedes E550, seen on the set in Chicago, onto his flickr.com account, causing fans to misinterpret part of the photo title as a clue to the character's name ("Q").<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonlauren/4844557644/ Nelson Lauren's flickr.com uploaded picture of Mercedes E550 on Chicago set.]</ref> He later clarifies that isn't the case.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7595-Ok-has-the-bot-list-got-crazy-or-what!/page3</ref>

*August 2, 2010 — A new Autobot taking the form of a red Rosenbauer Panther airline fire truck is spotted in Chicago and confirmed to appear by Nelson. He asserts it is not Inferno or Hot Spot.<ref>http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-autobot-arrives-and-more-boom.html New Autobot Arrives and More Boom</ref>

*August 3, 2010 — Nelson confirms that Jolt is not returning.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/nelson---no-jolt-for-transformers-3-170344/ No Jolt for Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 6, 2010 — Nelson confirms at the Shoot For The Edit site, that Wheelie returns in the third film and Carly's car is a Mercedes-Benz.<ref name="Wheelie">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/wheelies-back-in-transformers-3-170366/ Wheelie's Back In Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 15, 2010 — [[Lester Speight]]'s character is named Hardcore Eddie.<ref name="Hardcore Eddie">[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/article.php?sid=14130 Rumor - Decepticon Is Offed in Transformers 3]</ref>

*October 6, 2010 — Listings for childrens books on Amazon.com reveal the title of the movie to be "Transformers: The Dark of the Moon," 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>

*October 11, 2010 — In a second major on-set accident, this time during Washington D.C. filming, a police SUV responding to an emergency call intersects with a stunt, resulting in it being struck in the passenger-side door by one of Bumblebee's stunt vehicles. Luckily no one is seriously injured.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1319918/Transformers-3-hit-second-accident-Stunt-car-slams-real-Police-SUV-unscripted-crash.html Transformers 3 hit by second on-set accident]</ref>

*October 31, 2010 — [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com] is updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

*[[December 8]], 2010 — iTunes released [http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ the official teaser trailer].

*December 14, 2010 — Nelson Lauren mentioned Bay filmed "those NASA, astronauts walking on the moon, and ''Ark'' scenes" in the teaser trailer.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8227-Cool-writeup-on-things-we-missed-in-the-Trailer.&p=155908&viewfull=1#post155908 Re: Cool writeup on things we missed in the Trailer.]</ref>

*December 14, 2010 — When asked if he would reprise the role, [[Corey Burton]], the voice of the [[Shockwave (G1)|G1]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|''Animated'']] Shockwaves, said he had heard rumors that David Warner, who inspired the character's voice, was being considered for the role. He added he had no interest in playing Shockwave for ''Dark of the Moon'', stating he was too busy and had no interest "in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement".<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton on Shockwave]</ref>

*January 4, 2011 — An Idaho paper reported [[Bill Fagerbakke]] would be voicing a Chevy Impala with machine guns in the film.<ref>[http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story Magic Valley article]</ref>

*January 11, 2011 — PopEater.com mentions that [[Tom Kenny]] is recording voices for the film.<ref>[http://www.popeater.com/2011/01/12/tom-kenny-spongebob-sarah-palin/ Tom Kenny: SpongeBob 'Tougher Than Sarah Palin', PopEater.com, Jan 12, 2011]</ref>

*January 14, 2011 — In an interview with the ''Los Angeles Times'', Bay reiterated that ''Dark of the Moon'' would be superior to ''Revenge of the Fallen'', which was plagued by scheduling problems. It is stated there will be a digital version of [[John F. Kennedy]] and the archive-reel footage of [[Walter Cronkite]] from the teaser would also be in the film. He also talked about the complexity of filming in 3D on location.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ Michael Bay ready to make you forget ‘Transformers 2′: ‘It was kind of a mess’]</ref> In an update of the article, it was confirmed [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would not be returning as [[Leo Spitz]], a departure from Bay's previous announcement in 2009 that he would have a larger role in the third film.<ref name="TFormers Rodriguez">[http://tformers.com/transformers-leo-spitz-to-have-expanded-role-in-transformers-3/11919/news.html Leo Spitz to Have Expanded Role in ''Transformers 3'' on TFormers]</ref>

*February 6, 2011 — A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kvT0pKju8&feature=youtube_gdata_player new teaser] is shown during the Super Bowl.

*February 10, 2011 — Bay confirmed Sentinel Prime's existence in ''Dark of the Moon''. In an interview with MTV, the director is quoted as saying "Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great."<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml February 10, 2011 interview with MTV about Sentinel Prime]</ref>

*February 11, 2011 — An ''Entertainment Weekly'' article showcasing some new toys confirms the roles of Sentinel Prime, Megatron and the ''Ark'' in the story.<ref>[http://ewinsidemovies.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/transformers-3-hasbro-toys/ 'Transformers 3' clues found in new Hasbro toys - exclusive]</ref>

*February 20, 2011 — As part of the promotions for ''Dark of the Moon'', Michael Bay, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel and the film prop versions of the three NASCAR Autobot Wreckers ([[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], and [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]) made appearances at the [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]]th. The Wreckers appeared both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap. During the television broadcast of the race, a new television spot for ''Dark of the Moon'' was aired.

*February 21, 2011 — Nelson reaffirmed that the Twins were being removed from the final cut of the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8570-Update&p=163786#post163786 Shoot for the Edit Update thread, February 21, 2011]</ref>

*February 28, 2011 — The April 2011 issue of ''Empire'' hits the stands, with an exclusive story on ''Dark of the Moon''. Depicted on the cover and inside the magazine are ILM's renders for Sentinel Prime and the redesigned Optimus Prime.

*March 31, 2011 — Entertainment Weekly's website announces that [[Leonard Nimoy]] will be voicing Sentinel Prime!<ref>[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's Involvement, March 31, 2011]</ref>

*April 10, 2011 — Micheal Bay commented on speculation that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that had been seen on set by claiming: "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's ''[sic, recte companies]'' 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>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598#post169598 "Is Soundwave the silver Mercedes on set of DOTM", Michael Bay, shootfortheedit.com, April 10, 2011]</ref>

*April 14, 2011 — Mike Shinoda of [[Linkin Park]] confirmed that their song, ''Iridescent'', would be the single for ''Dark of the Moon'', a shorter version of the song would be used in the film and that they would be shooting a music video for it.

*April 15, 2011 — Michael Bay confirmed a trailer with ''Fast Five'' on April 29, and a 3D trailer with ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' on May 20.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170187&viewfull=1#post170187 Re: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref> He also screened 20 minutes of footage to the press, as well as five minutes of 3D footage. Bay spoke about how hard it was to tap into the magic of the first film as audiences had grown desensitized to the wonder of the Transformers. He spoke of it being darker, mature and emotional, with the stakes higher due to it being set in American city. He and Kruger compared the film to ''[[Wikipedia:Black Hawk Down|Black Hawk Down]]'', with no cavalry to rescue the heroes. He also spoke about blocking off a mile and a half of Chicago's streets for a scene involving stuntmen in wing suits diving off Sears Tower. Additionally, he reiterated that we shouldn't expect to see the Twins in this movie,<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76485 Michael Bay Previews Transformers: Dark of the Moon! Ryan Turek, Coming Soon.net, April 15, 2011]</ref> and that [[Frank Welker]] will be returning for voice duties.<ref name="uncut roundtable interview"/>

*April 15, 2011 — Lyricis Interactive uploads a promotional render of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]].<ref>[http://www.lyricis.fr/cinema-serie-tv/sentinel-prime-se-devoile/ Transformers 3 : Sentinel Prime se dévoile, April 15, 2011]</ref> <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-sentinel-prime-promo-image-revealed-171918/ Image mirrored at TFW2005.com]</ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Carly's last name is revealed to be Miller via an image caption at AllMoviePhoto.com. <ref> http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2011_transformer_dark_of_the_moon_001.html </ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Nelson confirmed the trailer will be online on Apple on April 28, at 7pm (East Coast time).<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170380&viewfull=1#post170380 Re: Updated: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref>

*April 28, 2011 — The second trailer is released on Apple iTunes Movie trailers<ref>[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Transformers: Dark of the Moon, trailers.apple.com]</ref>, as well as MichaelBay.com's accounts on Youtube<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilA0gggRFyQ Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, michealbaydotcom account, youtube.com]</ref>, and Vimeo<ref>[http://vimeo.com/23012123 Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, Michael Bay Dot Com account, Vimeo.com]</ref>

*May 2, 2011 — [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ Transformers.com] is updated and the [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] is added, providing a plethora of new information (including some new characters). '''BEWARE OF PLOT SPOILERS'''

*May 12, 2011 — On the Marquee Blog it states that [[Hugo Weaving]] has been quite busy voicing Megatron in Dark of the Moon. <ref>http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/12/hugo-weaving-returns-to-middle-earth-in-hobbit/</ref>.



==Main cast==


{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5822 Exclusive: Peter Cullen on Transformers! on SuperHeroHype]</ref>
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]<ref name="Extended official Chicago video"/>
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime" /> ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]]<ref name="comicadaptation">[[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' Movie Adaptation]]</ref>
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]]<ref name="Wheelie"/>
*[[Brains]]<ref name="uncut roundtable interview">[http://www.slashfilm.com/interview-michael-bay-talks-transformers-dark-moon/ Interview: Michael Bay talks 'Dark of the Moon']</ref>
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]
*[[Silverbolt (DOTM)|Silverbolt]] ([[James Avery]])<ref name="unscripted James Avery"/>
|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/165127-preview-of-activisions-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-video-game Superhero Hype! DOTM game preview]</ref>
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Driller]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])<ref>[http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Exclusive Interview with Shia LaBeouf and Brian Geraghty on About.com]</ref>
*[[Carly Miller]]<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010"/> ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely"/>
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/showestnews.php?id=64373 ShoWest 2010: Josh Duhamel Back for ''Transformers 3'']</ref>
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])<ref>[http://twitter.com/Tyrese4ReaL/status/8867232956 Note on Tyrese Gibson's Twitter]</ref>
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Dylan]] ([[Patrick Dempsey]])<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*Bruce ([[John Malkovich]])<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/john-malkovich-talks-about-his-character-in-transformers-3-reveals-the-character-name-170678/ John Malkovich Talks About His Character In Transformers 3, Reveals The Character Name - Transformers News]</ref>
*Hardcore Eddie ([[Lester Speight]])<ref name="Hardcore Eddie"/>
*Unknown, most likely [[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]]) <ref>[http://glennmorshower.com/Actor.html Glenn Morshower's website]</ref>
*Simmons's assistant ([[Alan Tudyk]])<ref>[http://fromhollywoodwithluv.blogspot.com/2010/08/exclusive-alan-tudyk-reveals-his_03.html From Hollywood with Love interview with Tudyk]</ref>
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref>
*[[Buzz Aldrin]]<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref> ([[Cory Tucker]])<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/18/don-jeanes-talks-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-and-more/ Skewed magazine nterview with Don Jeanes]</ref>
|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}


==Posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Notes==

* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked<ref>http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/</ref>, causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuqiepu4UY 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.


==Footnotes==
<references/>

==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]

[[Category: Dark of the Moon| (film)]]
[[Category: Real world films]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-05-14T10:29:20Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Main cast */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It is scheduled to be released on [[July 1]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5976 "Official 2011," Shootfortheedit.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

:''Japanese title: '''Transformers: Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー　ダークサイド・ムーン, ''Toransufōmā Dākusaidomūn'')<ref>http://news.livedoor.com/article/image_detail/5346087/?img_id=1722734</ref>
:''Brazilian title: '''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' (''Transformers: The Hidden Side of the Moon'')
:''Latin American Spanish title: '''Transformers: El Lado Oscuro de la Luna''''' (''Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon'')
:''French name: '''Transformers 3: La Face Cachée de La Lune''''' (''Transformers 3: The Hidden Side of the Moon'')

{{TOCclear}}

==Confirmed information==

[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]

*June 20, 2009 — [[Michael Bay]] will be returning to directing duties.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?p=92260#post92260</ref>

*October 1, 2009 — "Day One" of preproduction work. A story has apparently already been worked out. The day begins with a meeting between Bay and [[Industrial Light & Magic]] which is followed by Bay and writer [[Ehren Kruger]] flying to Rhode Island to meet with [[Hasbro]] about new characters. Bay confirms a proposed release date of July 1, 2011.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.html Michael Bay confirms the release date and "day one" of pre-production, posted on October 1, 2009]</ref>

*October 6, 2009 — [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] will not be returning to write the film. All writing duties have been given to Ehren Kruger.<ref>http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1403421#post1403421</ref>

*Michael Bay states on the video played at the end of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Blu-ray ''AllSpark Experiment'' game that the third film will go deeper into the Transformers' history (cue lots of [[Unicron]] imagery from ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'') and that it will have more screentime for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. But it does say in the message that he'll tell lies...

*January 5, 2010 — [[James Avery]] confirms he will be playing a new Autobot named Silverbolt. No word on if this is the same character as [[Silverbolt (ROTF)|ROTF Silverbolt]].<ref name="unscripted James Avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted]</ref>

*February 7, 2010 — [[Tony Todd]] said that he would be back in some capacity<ref>[http://denofgeek.com/movies/410537/tony_todd_interview_candyman_transformers_3_platoon_chuck_and_his_brand_new_projects.html Tony Todd interview at DenofGeek.com]</ref> On April 17, 2010, he hinted at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo 2010 that he will be playing a human character.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/tony-todd-to-play-a-human-in-transformers-3-169581/ Tony Todd To Play A Human In Transformers 3, TFW2005.com, April 27, 2010]</ref> However, on October 1,Todd stated that he is in fact not in ''Transformers'' 3.<ref>[http://screenrant.com/tony-todd-interview-hatchet-final-destination-robf-80905/2/ ScreenRant interviews Tony Todd, October 1, 2010.]</ref>

*March 2, 2010 — [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] are going to get updated/revised designs that in Bumblebee's case reflects his maturation.<ref>[http://scifiwire.com/2010/03/transformers-3s-optimus-b.php "Transformers 3's Optimus, Bumblebee getting makeovers" @ Sci-Fi Wire]</ref>

*March 22, 2010 — Michael Bay announces that [[Frances McDormand]], [[John Malkovich]], and [[Ken Jeong]] have joined the cast, as well as that a Ferrari 458 Italia will become the "newest Autobot".<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.html Transformers 3 Update from Michael Bay]</ref>

*April 7, 2010 — Variety reports that [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] will be returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="Variety April 7 2010">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3'', April 7, 2010]</ref>

*May 4, 2010 — Paramount Pictures confirms that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers'' 3 to play Mikaela Banes' boss.<ref>[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3", Hollywood Insider, May 4, 2010]</ref>

*May 11, 2010 — Michael Bay claims: "[[The Twins]] are not back in T3."<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7279-The-Twins-are-not-back-in-T3&p=137603#post137603 Official Michael Bay Forums May 11, 2010]</ref> If you believe that, we've got a [[space bridge]] for sale.

*May 19, 2010 — [[Megan Fox]] is suddenly dropped from the cast. A new love interest for the Sam character is slated to be cast.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J04920100520 "Megan Fox dropped from Transformers 3", Reuters.com May 19 2010]</ref>

*June 2, 2010 — Bay officially announces Fox's replacement as Sam's love interest: [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]].<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely">[http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2010/06/03/rosie-huntington-whiteley-confirmed-transformers-3 'Transformers 3' Officially Welcomes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Inside Movies.moviefone.com, June 3, 2010]</ref>

*June 6, 2010 — Representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumour that he has passed away, confirm that the actor is indeed alive and will be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-14650-Entertainment-Examiner~y2010m6d6-Uncle-Phil-James-Avery-isnt-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all, The Examiner, June 6, 2010]</ref>

*June 10, 2010 — USA Today reveals that the villain for ''Transformers 3'' will be Shockwave. Michael Bay and Lorenzo diBonaventura take some of the blame for the criticisms aimed at ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and acknowledge the problems the film had. Bay reveals that they will be getting rid of what he referred to as the "dorky comedy" seen in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and reiterates that the Twins were "basically gone", though [[John Turturro]] will return as comic relief. Additionally, the film will explore the [[Ghosts of Yesterday|Transformers' role in the space race]] and will be filmed in 3D.<ref name="USA Today June 20">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, June 10, 2010]</ref>

*June 24, 2010 — Several sources, among them the ''Chicago Tribune'' newspaper, confirm shooting locations for the film, including [[Chicago]], IL, and Milwaukee, WI, as well as repeat locations such as [[Los Angeles]], CA, [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Detroit]], MI.

*July 20, 2010 — Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, visits the Chicago set and reveals some news: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's character is named Carly,<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010">[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 20, 2010]</ref> former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] plays a soldier.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren, July 20, 2010]</ref> He later posts an official video of the shoot, revealing the latest modifications to the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] Chevy Camaro prop vehicle, as well as three partially-transformed NASCAR vehicles.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/13511383 Michael Bay Dot Com In Chicago on Vimeo, July 20, 2010]</ref>

*July 23, 2010 — An extended version of Nelson Lauren's official video depicts several more Transformer prop vehicles, including the Ferrari 458 Italia, a blue Mercedes-Benz E550 and a convertible version of [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]].<ref name="Extended official Chicago video">[http://vimeo.com/13572598 Michael Bay Dot Com in Chicago (Extended) on Vimeo, July 23, 2010]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — In reply to a thread at TFW2005.com speculating on the identity of the NASCAR Transformers, Nelson comments that the vehicles are referred to on set as the "[[Wrecker]]s".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/314458-nelson-nascar-trio-wreckers-15-post5053271.html Nelson Lauren refers to the NASCAR Transformers as "Wreckers", TFW2005.com, July 30, 2010.]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — [[Maile Flanagan]] announces at Otakon that she has been cast for the film, but due to her nondisclosure agreement can not discuss her role in the movie.<ref>Okaton 2010, Maile Flanagan Q&A</ref>

*July 31, 2010 — Nelson posts a picture of the Mercedes E550, seen on the set in Chicago, onto his flickr.com account, causing fans to misinterpret part of the photo title as a clue to the character's name ("Q").<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonlauren/4844557644/ Nelson Lauren's flickr.com uploaded picture of Mercedes E550 on Chicago set.]</ref> He later clarifies that isn't the case.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7595-Ok-has-the-bot-list-got-crazy-or-what!/page3</ref>

*August 2, 2010 — A new Autobot taking the form of a red Rosenbauer Panther airline fire truck is spotted in Chicago and confirmed to appear by Nelson. He asserts it is not Inferno or Hot Spot.<ref>http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-autobot-arrives-and-more-boom.html New Autobot Arrives and More Boom</ref>

*August 3, 2010 — Nelson confirms that Jolt is not returning.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/nelson---no-jolt-for-transformers-3-170344/ No Jolt for Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 6, 2010 — Nelson confirms at the Shoot For The Edit site, that Wheelie returns in the third film and Carly's car is a Mercedes-Benz.<ref name="Wheelie">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/wheelies-back-in-transformers-3-170366/ Wheelie's Back In Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 15, 2010 — [[Lester Speight]]'s character is named Hardcore Eddie.<ref name="Hardcore Eddie">[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/article.php?sid=14130 Rumor - Decepticon Is Offed in Transformers 3]</ref>

*October 6, 2010 — Listings for childrens books on Amazon.com reveal the title of the movie to be "Transformers: The Dark of the Moon," 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>

*October 11, 2010 — In a second major on-set accident, this time during Washington D.C. filming, a police SUV responding to an emergency call intersects with a stunt, resulting in it being struck in the passenger-side door by one of Bumblebee's stunt vehicles. Luckily no one is seriously injured.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1319918/Transformers-3-hit-second-accident-Stunt-car-slams-real-Police-SUV-unscripted-crash.html Transformers 3 hit by second on-set accident]</ref>

*October 31, 2010 — [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com] is updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

*[[December 8]], 2010 — iTunes released [http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ the official teaser trailer].

*December 14, 2010 — Nelson Lauren mentioned Bay filmed "those NASA, astronauts walking on the moon, and ''Ark'' scenes" in the teaser trailer.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8227-Cool-writeup-on-things-we-missed-in-the-Trailer.&p=155908&viewfull=1#post155908 Re: Cool writeup on things we missed in the Trailer.]</ref>

*December 14, 2010 — When asked if he would reprise the role, [[Corey Burton]], the voice of the [[Shockwave (G1)|G1]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|''Animated'']] Shockwaves, said he had heard rumors that David Warner, who inspired the character's voice, was being considered for the role. He added he had no interest in playing Shockwave for ''Dark of the Moon'', stating he was too busy and had no interest "in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement".<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton on Shockwave]</ref>

*January 4, 2011 — An Idaho paper reported [[Bill Fagerbakke]] would be voicing a Chevy Impala with machine guns in the film.<ref>[http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story Magic Valley article]</ref>

*January 11, 2011 — PopEater.com mentions that [[Tom Kenny]] is recording voices for the film.<ref>[http://www.popeater.com/2011/01/12/tom-kenny-spongebob-sarah-palin/ Tom Kenny: SpongeBob 'Tougher Than Sarah Palin', PopEater.com, Jan 12, 2011]</ref>

*January 14, 2011 — In an interview with the ''Los Angeles Times'', Bay reiterated that ''Dark of the Moon'' would be superior to ''Revenge of the Fallen'', which was plagued by scheduling problems. It is stated there will be a digital version of [[John F. Kennedy]] and the archive-reel footage of [[Walter Cronkite]] from the teaser would also be in the film. He also talked about the complexity of filming in 3D on location.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ Michael Bay ready to make you forget ‘Transformers 2′: ‘It was kind of a mess’]</ref> In an update of the article, it was confirmed [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would not be returning as [[Leo Spitz]], a departure from Bay's previous announcement in 2009 that he would have a larger role in the third film.<ref name="TFormers Rodriguez">[http://tformers.com/transformers-leo-spitz-to-have-expanded-role-in-transformers-3/11919/news.html Leo Spitz to Have Expanded Role in ''Transformers 3'' on TFormers]</ref>

*February 6, 2011 — A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kvT0pKju8&feature=youtube_gdata_player new teaser] is shown during the Super Bowl.

*February 10, 2011 — Bay confirmed Sentinel Prime's existence in ''Dark of the Moon''. In an interview with MTV, the director is quoted as saying "Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great."<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml February 10, 2011 interview with MTV about Sentinel Prime]</ref>

*February 11, 2011 — An ''Entertainment Weekly'' article showcasing some new toys confirms the roles of Sentinel Prime, Megatron and the ''Ark'' in the story.<ref>[http://ewinsidemovies.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/transformers-3-hasbro-toys/ 'Transformers 3' clues found in new Hasbro toys - exclusive]</ref>

*February 20, 2011 — As part of the promotions for ''Dark of the Moon'', Michael Bay, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel and the film prop versions of the three NASCAR Autobot Wreckers ([[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], and [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]) made appearances at the [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]]th. The Wreckers appeared both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap. During the television broadcast of the race, a new television spot for ''Dark of the Moon'' was aired.

*February 21, 2011 — Nelson reaffirmed that the Twins were being removed from the final cut of the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8570-Update&p=163786#post163786 Shoot for the Edit Update thread, February 21, 2011]</ref>

*February 28, 2011 — The April 2011 issue of ''Empire'' hits the stands, with an exclusive story on ''Dark of the Moon''. Depicted on the cover and inside the magazine are ILM's renders for Sentinel Prime and the redesigned Optimus Prime.

*March 31, 2011 — Entertainment Weekly's website announces that [[Leonard Nimoy]] will be voicing Sentinel Prime!<ref>[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's Involvement, March 31, 2011]</ref>

*April 10, 2011 — Micheal Bay commented on speculation that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that had been seen on set by claiming: "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's ''[sic, recte companies]'' 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>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598#post169598 "Is Soundwave the silver Mercedes on set of DOTM", Michael Bay, shootfortheedit.com, April 10, 2011]</ref>

*April 14, 2011 — Mike Shinoda of [[Linkin Park]] confirmed that their song, ''Iridescent'', would be the single for ''Dark of the Moon'', a shorter version of the song would be used in the film and that they would be shooting a music video for it.

*April 15, 2011 — Michael Bay confirmed a trailer with ''Fast Five'' on April 29, and a 3D trailer with ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' on May 20.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170187&viewfull=1#post170187 Re: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref> He also screened 20 minutes of footage to the press, as well as five minutes of 3D footage. Bay spoke about how hard it was to tap into the magic of the first film as audiences had grown desensitized to the wonder of the Transformers. He spoke of it being darker, mature and emotional, with the stakes higher due to it being set in American city. He and Kruger compared the film to ''[[Wikipedia:Black Hawk Down|Black Hawk Down]]'', with no cavalry to rescue the heroes. He also spoke about blocking off a mile and a half of Chicago's streets for a scene involving stuntmen in wing suits diving off Sears Tower. Additionally, he reiterated that we shouldn't expect to see the Twins in this movie,<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76485 Michael Bay Previews Transformers: Dark of the Moon! Ryan Turek, Coming Soon.net, April 15, 2011]</ref> and that [[Frank Welker]] will be returning for voice duties.<ref name="uncut roundtable interview"/>

*April 15, 2011 — Lyricis Interactive uploads a promotional render of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]].<ref>[http://www.lyricis.fr/cinema-serie-tv/sentinel-prime-se-devoile/ Transformers 3 : Sentinel Prime se dévoile, April 15, 2011]</ref> <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-sentinel-prime-promo-image-revealed-171918/ Image mirrored at TFW2005.com]</ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Carly's last name is revealed to be Miller via an image caption at AllMoviePhoto.com. <ref> http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2011_transformer_dark_of_the_moon_001.html </ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Nelson confirmed the trailer will be online on Apple on April 28, at 7pm (East Coast time).<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170380&viewfull=1#post170380 Re: Updated: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref>

*April 28, 2011 — The second trailer is released on Apple iTunes Movie trailers<ref>[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Transformers: Dark of the Moon, trailers.apple.com]</ref>, as well as MichaelBay.com's accounts on Youtube<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilA0gggRFyQ Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, michealbaydotcom account, youtube.com]</ref>, and Vimeo<ref>[http://vimeo.com/23012123 Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, Michael Bay Dot Com account, Vimeo.com]</ref>

*May 2, 2011 — [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ Transformers.com] is updated and the [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] is added, providing a plethora of new information (including some new characters). '''BEWARE OF PLOT SPOILERS'''



==Main cast==


{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5822 Exclusive: Peter Cullen on Transformers! on SuperHeroHype]</ref>
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]<ref name="Extended official Chicago video"/>
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime" /> ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]]<ref name="comicadaptation">[[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' Movie Adaptation]]</ref>
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]]<ref name="Wheelie"/>
*[[Brains]]<ref name="uncut roundtable interview">[http://www.slashfilm.com/interview-michael-bay-talks-transformers-dark-moon/ Interview: Michael Bay talks 'Dark of the Moon']</ref>
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]
*[[Silverbolt (DOTM)|Silverbolt]] ([[James Avery]])<ref name="unscripted James Avery"/>
|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/165127-preview-of-activisions-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-video-game Superhero Hype! DOTM game preview]</ref>
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Driller]]<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])<ref>[http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Exclusive Interview with Shia LaBeouf and Brian Geraghty on About.com]</ref>
*[[Carly Miller]]<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010"/> ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely"/>
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/showestnews.php?id=64373 ShoWest 2010: Josh Duhamel Back for ''Transformers 3'']</ref>
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])<ref>[http://twitter.com/Tyrese4ReaL/status/8867232956 Note on Tyrese Gibson's Twitter]</ref>
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Dylan]] ([[Patrick Dempsey]])<ref name="comicadaptation"/>
*Bruce ([[John Malkovich]])<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/john-malkovich-talks-about-his-character-in-transformers-3-reveals-the-character-name-170678/ John Malkovich Talks About His Character In Transformers 3, Reveals The Character Name - Transformers News]</ref>
*Hardcore Eddie ([[Lester Speight]])<ref name="Hardcore Eddie"/>
*Unknown, most likely [[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]]) <ref>[http://glennmorshower.com/Actor.html Glenn Morshower's website]</ref>
*Simmons's assistant ([[Alan Tudyk]])<ref>[http://fromhollywoodwithluv.blogspot.com/2010/08/exclusive-alan-tudyk-reveals-his_03.html From Hollywood with Love interview with Tudyk]</ref>
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref>
*[[Buzz Aldrin]]<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref> ([[Cory Tucker]])<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/18/don-jeanes-talks-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-and-more/ Skewed magazine nterview with Don Jeanes]</ref>
|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}


==Posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Notes==

* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked<ref>http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/</ref>, causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuqiepu4UY 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.


==Footnotes==
<references/>

==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]

[[Category: Dark of the Moon| (film)]]
[[Category: Real world films]]

Hugo Weaving

2011-05-08T19:33:22Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Notes */

{{factions|sector7}}
[[Image:HugoWeaving.jpg|right|253px|thumb|Never send a human to do a machine's job.]]
'''Hugo Weaving''' (born [[April 4]], [[1960]]) is an [[Australia]]n actor, perhaps best known for his roles as Agent Smith in ''The Matrix'' and as Elrond in ''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy of films. He gained his first experience as a voice actor in the ''Babe'' films, where he played Rex the sheepdog, the titular hero's foster father.

In [[Sector Seven (game)|one universe]], he's really an undercover agent working for [[Sector Seven]], trying to hide the [[N.B.E.|N.B.E.s]] from the public and covering it up by acting in fictional movies, like that thing with the jewellery or the internet that plugs into your brain. This is all, of course, to keep you from seeing the [[Transformers (2007)|historical documentary]]. Or make you see it. Either way works.

==Voice roles==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
*Megatron

==Fiction==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
Sector Seven agent H. Weaving convinced [[Steven Spielberg|S.S.]], [[Michael Bay|M.B.]], [[Roberto Orci|R.O.]], and [[Alex Kurtzman|A.K.]] to put him in charge of the "[[Megatron (Movie)|Megaman]] issue." {{storylink|Sector Seven|Sector Seven ARG}}

{{note|In the Sector Seven ARG (Alternate Reality Game), [[Transformers (2007)]] and all related fiction, materials, and promotional materials are actually a [[Hungry Dragon|counter-information campaign]] designed to discredit leaks and cover up the existence of N.B.E.s by presenting the facts about them as fictional events. It is suggested that [[Generation 1]] was a similar campaign.}}

==Notes==
*In a television interview on June 13th, 2007 in Australia on the Ten Network's news hour, director [[Michael Bay]] stated that Weaving had recorded his lines as Megatron in Australia while Bay directed him from the U.S. using Apple ''iChat'', and thus, he had never actually met the actor.
*In a November 2008 interview for the Sun Herald, Weaving revealed he had accepted the role of Megatron after a personal request by Bay, and he had in fact never seen ''Transformers''. He's still awesome though.{{fact}}
*During his revelation of his return to ''Transformers'' in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' on March 4, 2009, Weaving stated that he had already recorded his dialogue, once again with Bay in [[Los Angeles]] while he was in Australia. He said that during recording he had a strange conversation where Bay implied that what they were doing was supposed to be a big secret. <ref name="hugoweaving">[http://blogs.news.com.au/adelaidenow/turkeyshoot/index.php/adelaidenow/comments/weaving_confirms_megatrons_return_in_transformers_revenge_of_the_fallen AdelaideNow blog report on Weaving's return to ''Transformers''.]</ref>
*He wasn't aware until told during an interview that there was a [[Transformers 3|third movie in the making]]. [http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=9078]

*According to the Great Video's.com Hugo Weaving will provide the voice for Megatron once again in Dark of the Moon.<ref>http://www.thegreatvideos.com/2011/04/transformers-3-dark-of-the-moon-trailer-official-hd/</ref>

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915989/ Hugo Weaving at the Internet Movie Database]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Weaving, Hugo}}
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:English voice actors]]
[[Category:Movie humans]]
[[Category:Real people]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Sector Seven]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-05-08T19:30:41Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Main cast */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It is scheduled to be released on [[July 1]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5976 "Official 2011," Shootfortheedit.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

:''Japanese title: '''Transformers: Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー　ダークサイド・ムーン, ''Toransufōmā Dākusaidomūn'')<ref>http://news.livedoor.com/article/image_detail/5346087/?img_id=1722734</ref>
:''Brazilian title: '''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' (''The Hidden Side of the Moon'')

{{TOCclear}}

==Confirmed information==

[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]

*June 20, 2009 — [[Michael Bay]] will be returning to directing duties.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?p=92260#post92260</ref>

*October 1, 2009 — "Day One" of preproduction work. A story has apparently already been worked out. The day begins with a meeting between Bay and [[Industrial Light & Magic]] which is followed by Bay and writer [[Ehren Kruger]] flying to Rhode Island to meet with [[Hasbro]] about new characters. Bay confirms a proposed release date of July 1, 2011.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.html Michael Bay confirms the release date and "day one" of pre-production, posted on October 1, 2009]</ref>

*October 6, 2009 — [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] will not be returning to write the film. All writing duties have been given to Ehren Kruger.<ref>http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1403421#post1403421</ref>

*Michael Bay states on the video played at the end of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Blu-ray ''AllSpark Experiment'' game that the third film will go deeper into the Transformers' history (cue lots of [[Unicron]] imagery from ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'') and that it will have more screentime for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. But it does say in the message that he'll tell lies...

*January 5, 2010 — [[James Avery]] confirms he will be playing a new Autobot named Silverbolt. No word on if this is the same character as [[Silverbolt (ROTF)|ROTF Silverbolt]].<ref name="unscripted James Avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted]</ref>

*February 7, 2010 — [[Tony Todd]] said that he would be back in some capacity<ref>[http://denofgeek.com/movies/410537/tony_todd_interview_candyman_transformers_3_platoon_chuck_and_his_brand_new_projects.html Tony Todd interview at DenofGeek.com]</ref> On April 17, 2010, he hinted at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo 2010 that he will be playing a human character.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/tony-todd-to-play-a-human-in-transformers-3-169581/ Tony Todd To Play A Human In Transformers 3, TFW2005.com, April 27, 2010]</ref> However, on October 1,Todd stated that he is in fact not in ''Transformers'' 3.<ref>[http://screenrant.com/tony-todd-interview-hatchet-final-destination-robf-80905/2/ ScreenRant interviews Tony Todd, October 1, 2010.]</ref>

*March 2, 2010 — [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] are going to get updated/revised designs that in Bumblebee's case reflects his maturation.<ref>[http://scifiwire.com/2010/03/transformers-3s-optimus-b.php "Transformers 3's Optimus, Bumblebee getting makeovers" @ Sci-Fi Wire]</ref>

*March 22, 2010 — Michael Bay announces that [[Frances McDormand]], [[John Malkovich]], and [[Ken Jeong]] have joined the cast, as well as that a Ferrari 458 Italia will become the "newest Autobot".<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.html Transformers 3 Update from Michael Bay]</ref>

*April 7, 2010 — Variety reports that [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] will be returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="Variety April 7 2010">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3'', April 7, 2010]</ref>

*May 4, 2010 — Paramount Pictures confirms that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers'' 3 to play Mikaela Banes' boss.<ref>[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3", Hollywood Insider, May 4, 2010]</ref>

*May 11, 2010 — Michael Bay claims: "[[The Twins]] are not back in T3."<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7279-The-Twins-are-not-back-in-T3&p=137603#post137603 Official Michael Bay Forums May 11, 2010]</ref> If you believe that, we've got a [[space bridge]] for sale.

*May 19, 2010 — [[Megan Fox]] is suddenly dropped from the cast. A new love interest for the Sam character is slated to be cast.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J04920100520 "Megan Fox dropped from Transformers 3", Reuters.com May 19 2010]</ref>

*June 2, 2010 — Bay officially announces Fox's replacement as Sam's love interest: [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]].<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely">[http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2010/06/03/rosie-huntington-whiteley-confirmed-transformers-3 'Transformers 3' Officially Welcomes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Inside Movies.moviefone.com, June 3, 2010]</ref>

*June 6, 2010 — Representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumour that he has passed away, confirm that the actor is indeed alive and will be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-14650-Entertainment-Examiner~y2010m6d6-Uncle-Phil-James-Avery-isnt-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all, The Examiner, June 6, 2010]</ref>

*June 10, 2010 — USA Today reveals that the villain for ''Transformers 3'' will be Shockwave. Michael Bay and Lorenzo diBonaventura take some of the blame for the criticisms aimed at ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and acknowledge the problems the film had. Bay reveals that they will be getting rid of what he referred to as the "dorky comedy" seen in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and reiterates that the Twins were "basically gone", though [[John Turturro]] will return as comic relief. Additionally, the film will explore the [[Ghosts of Yesterday|Transformers' role in the space race]] and will be filmed in 3D.<ref name="USA Today June 20">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, June 10, 2010]</ref>

*June 24, 2010 — Several sources, among them the ''Chicago Tribune'' newspaper, confirm shooting locations for the film, including [[Chicago]], IL, and Milwaukee, WI, as well as repeat locations such as [[Los Angeles]], CA, [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Detroit]], MI.

*July 20, 2010 — Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, visits the Chicago set and reveals some news: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's character is named Carly,<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010">[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 20, 2010]</ref> former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] plays a soldier.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren, July 20, 2010]</ref> He later posts an official video of the shoot, revealing the latest modifications to the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] Chevy Camaro prop vehicle, as well as three partially-transformed NASCAR vehicles.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/13511383 Michael Bay Dot Com In Chicago on Vimeo, July 20, 2010]</ref>

*July 23, 2010 — An extended version of Nelson Lauren's official video depicts several more Transformer prop vehicles, including the Ferrari 458 Italia, a blue Mercedes-Benz E550 and a convertible version of [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]].<ref name="Extended official Chicago video">[http://vimeo.com/13572598 Michael Bay Dot Com in Chicago (Extended) on Vimeo, July 23, 2010]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — In reply to a thread at TFW2005.com speculating on the identity of the NASCAR Transformers, Nelson comments that the vehicles are referred to on set as the "[[Wrecker]]s".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/314458-nelson-nascar-trio-wreckers-15-post5053271.html Nelson Lauren refers to the NASCAR Transformers as "Wreckers", TFW2005.com, July 30, 2010.]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — [[Maile Flanagan]] announces at Otakon that she has been cast for the film, but due to her nondisclosure agreement can not discuss her role in the movie.<ref>Okaton 2010, Maile Flanagan Q&A</ref>

*July 31, 2010 — Nelson posts a picture of the Mercedes E550, seen on the set in Chicago, onto his flickr.com account, causing fans to misinterpret part of the photo title as a clue to the character's name ("Q").<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonlauren/4844557644/ Nelson Lauren's flickr.com uploaded picture of Mercedes E550 on Chicago set.]</ref> He later clarifies that isn't the case.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7595-Ok-has-the-bot-list-got-crazy-or-what!/page3</ref>

*August 2, 2010 — A new Autobot taking the form of a red Rosenbauer Panther airline fire truck is spotted in Chicago and confirmed to appear by Nelson. He asserts it is not Inferno or Hot Spot.<ref>http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-autobot-arrives-and-more-boom.html New Autobot Arrives and More Boom</ref>

*August 3, 2010 — Nelson confirms that Jolt is not returning.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/nelson---no-jolt-for-transformers-3-170344/ No Jolt for Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 6, 2010 — Nelson confirms at the Shoot For The Edit site, that Wheelie returns in the third film and Carly's car is a Mercedes-Benz.<ref name="Wheelie">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/wheelies-back-in-transformers-3-170366/ Wheelie's Back In Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 15, 2010 — [[Lester Speight]]'s character is named Hardcore Eddie.<ref name="Hardcore Eddie">[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/article.php?sid=14130 Rumor - Decepticon Is Offed in Transformers 3]</ref>

*October 6, 2010 — Listings for childrens books on Amazon.com reveal the title of the movie to be "Transformers: The Dark of the Moon," 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>

*October 11, 2010 — In a second major on-set accident, this time during Washington D.C. filming, a police SUV responding to an emergency call intersects with a stunt, resulting in it being struck in the passenger-side door by one of Bumblebee's stunt vehicles. Luckily no one is seriously injured.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1319918/Transformers-3-hit-second-accident-Stunt-car-slams-real-Police-SUV-unscripted-crash.html Transformers 3 hit by second on-set accident]</ref>

*October 31, 2010 — [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com] is updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

*[[December 8]], 2010 — iTunes released [http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ the official teaser trailer].

*December 14, 2010 — Nelson Lauren mentioned Bay filmed "those NASA, astronauts walking on the moon, and ''Ark'' scenes" in the teaser trailer.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8227-Cool-writeup-on-things-we-missed-in-the-Trailer.&p=155908&viewfull=1#post155908 Re: Cool writeup on things we missed in the Trailer.]</ref>

*December 14, 2010 — When asked if he would reprise the role, [[Corey Burton]], the voice of the [[Shockwave (G1)|G1]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|''Animated'']] Shockwaves, said he had heard rumors that David Warner, who inspired the character's voice, was being considered for the role. He added he had no interest in playing Shockwave for ''Dark of the Moon'', stating he was too busy and had no interest "in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement".<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton on Shockwave]</ref>

*January 4, 2011 — An Idaho paper reported [[Bill Fagerbakke]] would be voicing a Chevy Impala with machine guns in the film.<ref>[http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story Magic Valley article]</ref>

*January 11, 2011 — PopEater.com mentions that [[Tom Kenny]] is recording voices for the film.<ref>[http://www.popeater.com/2011/01/12/tom-kenny-spongebob-sarah-palin/ Tom Kenny: SpongeBob 'Tougher Than Sarah Palin', PopEater.com, Jan 12, 2011]</ref>

*January 14, 2011 — In an interview with the ''Los Angeles Times'', Bay reiterated that ''Dark of the Moon'' would be superior to ''Revenge of the Fallen'', which was plagued by scheduling problems. It is stated there will be a digital version of [[John F. Kennedy]] and the archive-reel footage of [[Walter Cronkite]] from the teaser would also be in the film. He also talked about the complexity of filming in 3D on location.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ Michael Bay ready to make you forget ‘Transformers 2′: ‘It was kind of a mess’]</ref> In an update of the article, it was confirmed [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would not be returning as [[Leo Spitz]], a departure from Bay's previous announcement in 2009 that he would have a larger role in the third film.<ref name="TFormers Rodriguez">[http://tformers.com/transformers-leo-spitz-to-have-expanded-role-in-transformers-3/11919/news.html Leo Spitz to Have Expanded Role in ''Transformers 3'' on TFormers]</ref>

*February 6, 2011 — A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kvT0pKju8&feature=youtube_gdata_player new teaser] is shown during the Super Bowl.

*February 10, 2011 — Bay confirmed Sentinel Prime's existence in ''Dark of the Moon''. In an interview with MTV, the director is quoted as saying "Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great."<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml February 10, 2011 interview with MTV about Sentinel Prime]</ref>

*February 11, 2011 — An ''Entertainment Weekly'' article showcasing some new toys confirms the roles of Sentinel Prime, Megatron and the ''Ark'' in the story.<ref>[http://ewinsidemovies.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/transformers-3-hasbro-toys/ 'Transformers 3' clues found in new Hasbro toys - exclusive]</ref>

*February 20, 2011 — As part of the promotions for ''Dark of the Moon'', Michael Bay, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel and the film prop versions of the three NASCAR Autobot Wreckers ([[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], and [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]) made appearances at the [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]]th. The Wreckers appeared both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap. During the television broadcast of the race, a new television spot for ''Dark of the Moon'' was aired.

*February 21, 2011 — Nelson reaffirmed that the Twins were being removed from the final cut of the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8570-Update&p=163786#post163786 Shoot for the Edit Update thread, February 21, 2011]</ref>

*February 28, 2011 — The April 2011 issue of ''Empire'' hits the stands, with an exclusive story on ''Dark of the Moon''. Depicted on the cover and inside the magazine are ILM's renders for Sentinel Prime and the redesigned Optimus Prime.

*March 31, 2011 — Entertainment Weekly's website announces that [[Leonard Nimoy]] will be voicing Sentinel Prime!<ref>[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's Involvement, March 31, 2011]</ref>

*April 10, 2011 — Micheal Bay commented on speculation that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that had been seen on set by claiming: "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's ''[sic, recte companies]'' 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>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598#post169598 "Is Soundwave the silver Mercedes on set of DOTM", Michael Bay, shootfortheedit.com, April 10, 2011]</ref>

*April 14, 2011 — Mike Shinoda of [[Linkin Park]] confirmed that their song, ''Iridescent'', would be the single for ''Dark of the Moon'', a shorter version of the song would be used in the film and that they would be shooting a music video for it.

*April 15, 2011 — Michael Bay confirmed a trailer with ''Fast Five'' on April 29, and a 3D trailer with ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' on May 20.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170187&viewfull=1#post170187 Re: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref> He also screened 20 minutes of footage to the press, as well as five minutes of 3D footage. Bay spoke about how hard it was to tap into the magic of the first film as audiences had grown desensitized to the wonder of the Transformers. He spoke of it being darker, mature and emotional, with the stakes higher due to it being set in American city. He and Kruger compared the film to ''[[Wikipedia:Black Hawk Down|Black Hawk Down]]'', with no cavalry to rescue the heroes. He also spoke about blocking off a mile and a half of Chicago's streets for a scene involving stuntmen in wing suits diving off Sears Tower. Additionally, he reiterated that we shouldn't expect to see the Twins in this movie,<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76485 Michael Bay Previews Transformers: Dark of the Moon! Ryan Turek, Coming Soon.net, April 15, 2011]</ref> and that [[Frank Welker]] will be returning for voice duties.<ref name="uncut roundtable interview"/>

*April 15, 2011 — Lyricis Interactive uploads a promotional render of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]].<ref>[http://www.lyricis.fr/cinema-serie-tv/sentinel-prime-se-devoile/ Transformers 3 : Sentinel Prime se dévoile, April 15, 2011]</ref> <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-sentinel-prime-promo-image-revealed-171918/ Image mirrored at TFW2005.com]</ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Carly's last name is revealed to be Miller via an image caption at AllMoviePhoto.com. <ref> http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2011_transformer_dark_of_the_moon_001.html </ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Nelson confirmed the trailer will be online on Apple on April 28, at 7pm (East Coast time).<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170380&viewfull=1#post170380 Re: Updated: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref>

*April 28, 2011 — The second trailer is released on Apple iTunes Movie trailers<ref>[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Transformers: Dark of the Moon, trailers.apple.com]</ref>, as well as MichaelBay.com's accounts on Youtube<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilA0gggRFyQ Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, michealbaydotcom account, youtube.com]</ref>, and Vimeo<ref>[http://vimeo.com/23012123 Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, Michael Bay Dot Com account, Vimeo.com]</ref>

*May 2, 2011 — [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ Transformers.com] is updated and the [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] is added, providing a plethora of new information (including some new characters). '''BEWARE OF PLOT SPOILERS'''



==Main cast==


{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5822 Exclusive: Peter Cullen on Transformers! on SuperHeroHype]</ref>
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]<ref name="Extended official Chicago video"/>
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]]<ref name="Wheelie"/>
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime" /> ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]
*[[Brains]]<ref name="uncut roundtable interview">[http://www.slashfilm.com/interview-michael-bay-talks-transformers-dark-moon/ Interview: Michael Bay talks 'Dark of the Moon']</ref>
*[[Silverbolt (DOTM)|Silverbolt]] ([[James Avery]])<ref name="unscripted James Avery"/>
|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/165127-preview-of-activisions-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-video-game Superhero Hype! DOTM game preview]</ref>
|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])<ref>[http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Exclusive Interview with Shia LaBeouf and Brian Geraghty on About.com]</ref>
*[[Carly Miller]]<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010"/> ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely"/>
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/showestnews.php?id=64373 ShoWest 2010: Josh Duhamel Back for ''Transformers 3'']</ref>
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])<ref>[http://twitter.com/Tyrese4ReaL/status/8867232956 Note on Tyrese Gibson's Twitter]</ref>
*Hardcore Eddie ([[Lester Speight]])<ref name="Hardcore Eddie"/>
*Unknown, most likely [[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]]) <ref>[http://glennmorshower.com/Actor.html Glenn Morshower's website]</ref>
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*Simmons's assistant ([[Alan Tudyk]])<ref>[http://fromhollywoodwithluv.blogspot.com/2010/08/exclusive-alan-tudyk-reveals-his_03.html From Hollywood with Love interview with Tudyk]</ref>
*Bruce ([[John Malkovich]])<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/john-malkovich-talks-about-his-character-in-transformers-3-reveals-the-character-name-170678/ John Malkovich Talks About His Character In Transformers 3, Reveals The Character Name - Transformers News]</ref>
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref>
*[[Buzz Aldrin]]<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref> ([[Cory Tucker]])<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/18/don-jeanes-talks-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-and-more/ Skewed magazine nterview with Don Jeanes]</ref>
|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}


==Posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Notes==

* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked<ref>http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/</ref>, causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuqiepu4UY 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.


==Footnotes==
<references/>

==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]

[[Category: Dark of the Moon| (film)]]
[[Category: Real world films]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-05-08T19:29:59Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Main cast */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It is scheduled to be released on [[July 1]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5976 "Official 2011," Shootfortheedit.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

:''Japanese title: '''Transformers: Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー　ダークサイド・ムーン, ''Toransufōmā Dākusaidomūn'')<ref>http://news.livedoor.com/article/image_detail/5346087/?img_id=1722734</ref>
:''Brazilian title: '''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' (''The Hidden Side of the Moon'')

{{TOCclear}}

==Confirmed information==

[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]

*June 20, 2009 — [[Michael Bay]] will be returning to directing duties.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?p=92260#post92260</ref>

*October 1, 2009 — "Day One" of preproduction work. A story has apparently already been worked out. The day begins with a meeting between Bay and [[Industrial Light & Magic]] which is followed by Bay and writer [[Ehren Kruger]] flying to Rhode Island to meet with [[Hasbro]] about new characters. Bay confirms a proposed release date of July 1, 2011.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.html Michael Bay confirms the release date and "day one" of pre-production, posted on October 1, 2009]</ref>

*October 6, 2009 — [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] will not be returning to write the film. All writing duties have been given to Ehren Kruger.<ref>http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1403421#post1403421</ref>

*Michael Bay states on the video played at the end of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Blu-ray ''AllSpark Experiment'' game that the third film will go deeper into the Transformers' history (cue lots of [[Unicron]] imagery from ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'') and that it will have more screentime for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. But it does say in the message that he'll tell lies...

*January 5, 2010 — [[James Avery]] confirms he will be playing a new Autobot named Silverbolt. No word on if this is the same character as [[Silverbolt (ROTF)|ROTF Silverbolt]].<ref name="unscripted James Avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted]</ref>

*February 7, 2010 — [[Tony Todd]] said that he would be back in some capacity<ref>[http://denofgeek.com/movies/410537/tony_todd_interview_candyman_transformers_3_platoon_chuck_and_his_brand_new_projects.html Tony Todd interview at DenofGeek.com]</ref> On April 17, 2010, he hinted at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo 2010 that he will be playing a human character.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/tony-todd-to-play-a-human-in-transformers-3-169581/ Tony Todd To Play A Human In Transformers 3, TFW2005.com, April 27, 2010]</ref> However, on October 1,Todd stated that he is in fact not in ''Transformers'' 3.<ref>[http://screenrant.com/tony-todd-interview-hatchet-final-destination-robf-80905/2/ ScreenRant interviews Tony Todd, October 1, 2010.]</ref>

*March 2, 2010 — [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] are going to get updated/revised designs that in Bumblebee's case reflects his maturation.<ref>[http://scifiwire.com/2010/03/transformers-3s-optimus-b.php "Transformers 3's Optimus, Bumblebee getting makeovers" @ Sci-Fi Wire]</ref>

*March 22, 2010 — Michael Bay announces that [[Frances McDormand]], [[John Malkovich]], and [[Ken Jeong]] have joined the cast, as well as that a Ferrari 458 Italia will become the "newest Autobot".<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.html Transformers 3 Update from Michael Bay]</ref>

*April 7, 2010 — Variety reports that [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] will be returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="Variety April 7 2010">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3'', April 7, 2010]</ref>

*May 4, 2010 — Paramount Pictures confirms that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers'' 3 to play Mikaela Banes' boss.<ref>[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3", Hollywood Insider, May 4, 2010]</ref>

*May 11, 2010 — Michael Bay claims: "[[The Twins]] are not back in T3."<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7279-The-Twins-are-not-back-in-T3&p=137603#post137603 Official Michael Bay Forums May 11, 2010]</ref> If you believe that, we've got a [[space bridge]] for sale.

*May 19, 2010 — [[Megan Fox]] is suddenly dropped from the cast. A new love interest for the Sam character is slated to be cast.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J04920100520 "Megan Fox dropped from Transformers 3", Reuters.com May 19 2010]</ref>

*June 2, 2010 — Bay officially announces Fox's replacement as Sam's love interest: [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]].<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely">[http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2010/06/03/rosie-huntington-whiteley-confirmed-transformers-3 'Transformers 3' Officially Welcomes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Inside Movies.moviefone.com, June 3, 2010]</ref>

*June 6, 2010 — Representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumour that he has passed away, confirm that the actor is indeed alive and will be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/x-14650-Entertainment-Examiner~y2010m6d6-Uncle-Phil-James-Avery-isnt-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all, The Examiner, June 6, 2010]</ref>

*June 10, 2010 — USA Today reveals that the villain for ''Transformers 3'' will be Shockwave. Michael Bay and Lorenzo diBonaventura take some of the blame for the criticisms aimed at ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and acknowledge the problems the film had. Bay reveals that they will be getting rid of what he referred to as the "dorky comedy" seen in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and reiterates that the Twins were "basically gone", though [[John Turturro]] will return as comic relief. Additionally, the film will explore the [[Ghosts of Yesterday|Transformers' role in the space race]] and will be filmed in 3D.<ref name="USA Today June 20">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, June 10, 2010]</ref>

*June 24, 2010 — Several sources, among them the ''Chicago Tribune'' newspaper, confirm shooting locations for the film, including [[Chicago]], IL, and Milwaukee, WI, as well as repeat locations such as [[Los Angeles]], CA, [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Detroit]], MI.

*July 20, 2010 — Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, visits the Chicago set and reveals some news: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's character is named Carly,<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010">[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 20, 2010]</ref> former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] plays a soldier.<ref>[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren, July 20, 2010]</ref> He later posts an official video of the shoot, revealing the latest modifications to the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] Chevy Camaro prop vehicle, as well as three partially-transformed NASCAR vehicles.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/13511383 Michael Bay Dot Com In Chicago on Vimeo, July 20, 2010]</ref>

*July 23, 2010 — An extended version of Nelson Lauren's official video depicts several more Transformer prop vehicles, including the Ferrari 458 Italia, a blue Mercedes-Benz E550 and a convertible version of [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]].<ref name="Extended official Chicago video">[http://vimeo.com/13572598 Michael Bay Dot Com in Chicago (Extended) on Vimeo, July 23, 2010]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — In reply to a thread at TFW2005.com speculating on the identity of the NASCAR Transformers, Nelson comments that the vehicles are referred to on set as the "[[Wrecker]]s".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/314458-nelson-nascar-trio-wreckers-15-post5053271.html Nelson Lauren refers to the NASCAR Transformers as "Wreckers", TFW2005.com, July 30, 2010.]</ref>

*July 30, 2010 — [[Maile Flanagan]] announces at Otakon that she has been cast for the film, but due to her nondisclosure agreement can not discuss her role in the movie.<ref>Okaton 2010, Maile Flanagan Q&A</ref>

*July 31, 2010 — Nelson posts a picture of the Mercedes E550, seen on the set in Chicago, onto his flickr.com account, causing fans to misinterpret part of the photo title as a clue to the character's name ("Q").<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonlauren/4844557644/ Nelson Lauren's flickr.com uploaded picture of Mercedes E550 on Chicago set.]</ref> He later clarifies that isn't the case.<ref>http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7595-Ok-has-the-bot-list-got-crazy-or-what!/page3</ref>

*August 2, 2010 — A new Autobot taking the form of a red Rosenbauer Panther airline fire truck is spotted in Chicago and confirmed to appear by Nelson. He asserts it is not Inferno or Hot Spot.<ref>http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-autobot-arrives-and-more-boom.html New Autobot Arrives and More Boom</ref>

*August 3, 2010 — Nelson confirms that Jolt is not returning.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/nelson---no-jolt-for-transformers-3-170344/ No Jolt for Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 6, 2010 — Nelson confirms at the Shoot For The Edit site, that Wheelie returns in the third film and Carly's car is a Mercedes-Benz.<ref name="Wheelie">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/wheelies-back-in-transformers-3-170366/ Wheelie's Back In Transformers 3]</ref>

*August 15, 2010 — [[Lester Speight]]'s character is named Hardcore Eddie.<ref name="Hardcore Eddie">[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/article.php?sid=14130 Rumor - Decepticon Is Offed in Transformers 3]</ref>

*October 6, 2010 — Listings for childrens books on Amazon.com reveal the title of the movie to be "Transformers: The Dark of the Moon," 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>

*October 11, 2010 — In a second major on-set accident, this time during Washington D.C. filming, a police SUV responding to an emergency call intersects with a stunt, resulting in it being struck in the passenger-side door by one of Bumblebee's stunt vehicles. Luckily no one is seriously injured.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1319918/Transformers-3-hit-second-accident-Stunt-car-slams-real-Police-SUV-unscripted-crash.html Transformers 3 hit by second on-set accident]</ref>

*October 31, 2010 — [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com] is updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

*[[December 8]], 2010 — iTunes released [http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ the official teaser trailer].

*December 14, 2010 — Nelson Lauren mentioned Bay filmed "those NASA, astronauts walking on the moon, and ''Ark'' scenes" in the teaser trailer.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8227-Cool-writeup-on-things-we-missed-in-the-Trailer.&p=155908&viewfull=1#post155908 Re: Cool writeup on things we missed in the Trailer.]</ref>

*December 14, 2010 — When asked if he would reprise the role, [[Corey Burton]], the voice of the [[Shockwave (G1)|G1]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|''Animated'']] Shockwaves, said he had heard rumors that David Warner, who inspired the character's voice, was being considered for the role. He added he had no interest in playing Shockwave for ''Dark of the Moon'', stating he was too busy and had no interest "in that kind of mega-budget movie enterprise involvement".<ref>[http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight=#2707 Corey Burton on Shockwave]</ref>

*January 4, 2011 — An Idaho paper reported [[Bill Fagerbakke]] would be voicing a Chevy Impala with machine guns in the film.<ref>[http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story Magic Valley article]</ref>

*January 11, 2011 — PopEater.com mentions that [[Tom Kenny]] is recording voices for the film.<ref>[http://www.popeater.com/2011/01/12/tom-kenny-spongebob-sarah-palin/ Tom Kenny: SpongeBob 'Tougher Than Sarah Palin', PopEater.com, Jan 12, 2011]</ref>

*January 14, 2011 — In an interview with the ''Los Angeles Times'', Bay reiterated that ''Dark of the Moon'' would be superior to ''Revenge of the Fallen'', which was plagued by scheduling problems. It is stated there will be a digital version of [[John F. Kennedy]] and the archive-reel footage of [[Walter Cronkite]] from the teaser would also be in the film. He also talked about the complexity of filming in 3D on location.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ Michael Bay ready to make you forget ‘Transformers 2′: ‘It was kind of a mess’]</ref> In an update of the article, it was confirmed [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would not be returning as [[Leo Spitz]], a departure from Bay's previous announcement in 2009 that he would have a larger role in the third film.<ref name="TFormers Rodriguez">[http://tformers.com/transformers-leo-spitz-to-have-expanded-role-in-transformers-3/11919/news.html Leo Spitz to Have Expanded Role in ''Transformers 3'' on TFormers]</ref>

*February 6, 2011 — A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kvT0pKju8&feature=youtube_gdata_player new teaser] is shown during the Super Bowl.

*February 10, 2011 — Bay confirmed Sentinel Prime's existence in ''Dark of the Moon''. In an interview with MTV, the director is quoted as saying "Sentinel Prime is great. He's great...I can't tell you anything else, other than he's great."<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml February 10, 2011 interview with MTV about Sentinel Prime]</ref>

*February 11, 2011 — An ''Entertainment Weekly'' article showcasing some new toys confirms the roles of Sentinel Prime, Megatron and the ''Ark'' in the story.<ref>[http://ewinsidemovies.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/transformers-3-hasbro-toys/ 'Transformers 3' clues found in new Hasbro toys - exclusive]</ref>

*February 20, 2011 — As part of the promotions for ''Dark of the Moon'', Michael Bay, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel and the film prop versions of the three NASCAR Autobot Wreckers ([[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], and [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]) made appearances at the [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]]th. The Wreckers appeared both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap. During the television broadcast of the race, a new television spot for ''Dark of the Moon'' was aired.

*February 21, 2011 — Nelson reaffirmed that the Twins were being removed from the final cut of the film. <ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8570-Update&p=163786#post163786 Shoot for the Edit Update thread, February 21, 2011]</ref>

*February 28, 2011 — The April 2011 issue of ''Empire'' hits the stands, with an exclusive story on ''Dark of the Moon''. Depicted on the cover and inside the magazine are ILM's renders for Sentinel Prime and the redesigned Optimus Prime.

*March 31, 2011 — Entertainment Weekly's website announces that [[Leonard Nimoy]] will be voicing Sentinel Prime!<ref>[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's Involvement, March 31, 2011]</ref>

*April 10, 2011 — Micheal Bay commented on speculation that [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that had been seen on set by claiming: "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's ''[sic, recte companies]'' 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>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598#post169598 "Is Soundwave the silver Mercedes on set of DOTM", Michael Bay, shootfortheedit.com, April 10, 2011]</ref>

*April 14, 2011 — Mike Shinoda of [[Linkin Park]] confirmed that their song, ''Iridescent'', would be the single for ''Dark of the Moon'', a shorter version of the song would be used in the film and that they would be shooting a music video for it.

*April 15, 2011 — Michael Bay confirmed a trailer with ''Fast Five'' on April 29, and a 3D trailer with ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' on May 20.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170187&viewfull=1#post170187 Re: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref> He also screened 20 minutes of footage to the press, as well as five minutes of 3D footage. Bay spoke about how hard it was to tap into the magic of the first film as audiences had grown desensitized to the wonder of the Transformers. He spoke of it being darker, mature and emotional, with the stakes higher due to it being set in American city. He and Kruger compared the film to ''[[Wikipedia:Black Hawk Down|Black Hawk Down]]'', with no cavalry to rescue the heroes. He also spoke about blocking off a mile and a half of Chicago's streets for a scene involving stuntmen in wing suits diving off Sears Tower. Additionally, he reiterated that we shouldn't expect to see the Twins in this movie,<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76485 Michael Bay Previews Transformers: Dark of the Moon! Ryan Turek, Coming Soon.net, April 15, 2011]</ref> and that [[Frank Welker]] will be returning for voice duties.<ref name="uncut roundtable interview"/>

*April 15, 2011 — Lyricis Interactive uploads a promotional render of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]].<ref>[http://www.lyricis.fr/cinema-serie-tv/sentinel-prime-se-devoile/ Transformers 3 : Sentinel Prime se dévoile, April 15, 2011]</ref> <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-sentinel-prime-promo-image-revealed-171918/ Image mirrored at TFW2005.com]</ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Carly's last name is revealed to be Miller via an image caption at AllMoviePhoto.com. <ref> http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2011_transformer_dark_of_the_moon_001.html </ref>

*April 16, 2011 — Nelson confirmed the trailer will be online on Apple on April 28, at 7pm (East Coast time).<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8844-Updated-Is-the-TF3-post-production-on-schedule&p=170380&viewfull=1#post170380 Re: Updated: Is the TF3 post production on schedule?]</ref>

*April 28, 2011 — The second trailer is released on Apple iTunes Movie trailers<ref>[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Transformers: Dark of the Moon, trailers.apple.com]</ref>, as well as MichaelBay.com's accounts on Youtube<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilA0gggRFyQ Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, michealbaydotcom account, youtube.com]</ref>, and Vimeo<ref>[http://vimeo.com/23012123 Transformers 3 Dark Of The Moon Theatrical Trailer, Michael Bay Dot Com account, Vimeo.com]</ref>

*May 2, 2011 — [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ Transformers.com] is updated and the [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] is added, providing a plethora of new information (including some new characters). '''BEWARE OF PLOT SPOILERS'''



==Main cast==


{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=5822 Exclusive: Peter Cullen on Transformers! on SuperHeroHype]</ref>
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]<ref name="Extended official Chicago video"/>
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]]<ref name="Wheelie"/>
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]<ref name="Bay confirms Sentinel Prime" /> ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]
*[[Brains]]<ref name="uncut roundtable interview">[http://www.slashfilm.com/interview-michael-bay-talks-transformers-dark-moon/ Interview: Michael Bay talks 'Dark of the Moon']</ref>
*[[Silverbolt (DOTM)|Silverbolt]] ([[James Avery]])<ref name="unscripted James Avery"/>
|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])<ref>http://www.thegreatvideos.com/2011/04/transformers-3-dark-of-the-moon-trailer-official-hd/</ref>
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/165127-preview-of-activisions-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-video-game Superhero Hype! DOTM game preview]</ref>
|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])<ref>[http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Exclusive Interview with Shia LaBeouf and Brian Geraghty on About.com]</ref>
*[[Carly Miller]]<ref name="Nelson forum post July 2010"/> ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])<ref name="Rosie Huntington-Whitely"/>
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])<ref>[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/showestnews.php?id=64373 ShoWest 2010: Josh Duhamel Back for ''Transformers 3'']</ref>
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])<ref>[http://twitter.com/Tyrese4ReaL/status/8867232956 Note on Tyrese Gibson's Twitter]</ref>
*Hardcore Eddie ([[Lester Speight]])<ref name="Hardcore Eddie"/>
*Unknown, most likely [[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]]) <ref>[http://glennmorshower.com/Actor.html Glenn Morshower's website]</ref>
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])<ref name="Variety April 7 2010"/>
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])<ref name="USA Today June 20"/>
*Simmons's assistant ([[Alan Tudyk]])<ref>[http://fromhollywoodwithluv.blogspot.com/2010/08/exclusive-alan-tudyk-reveals-his_03.html From Hollywood with Love interview with Tudyk]</ref>
*Bruce ([[John Malkovich]])<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/john-malkovich-talks-about-his-character-in-transformers-3-reveals-the-character-name-170678/ John Malkovich Talks About His Character In Transformers 3, Reveals The Character Name - Transformers News]</ref>
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref>
*[[Buzz Aldrin]]<ref>http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/09/an-interview-with-transformers-primes-optimus-prime-peter-cullen/</ref> ([[Cory Tucker]])<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/18/don-jeanes-talks-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-and-more/ Skewed magazine nterview with Don Jeanes]</ref>
|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}


==Posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Notes==

* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked<ref>http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/</ref>, causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuqiepu4UY 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.


==Footnotes==
<references/>

==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]

[[Category: Dark of the Moon| (film)]]
[[Category: Real world films]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-04-05T20:47:04Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is often referred to as "Lord Megatron". Known to humans as both "The Ice Man" and "The Mega-Man" and more formally as [[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial|N.B.E.]]-01''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

Once the [[Lord High Protector]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the "[[brother]]" of the science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], '''Megatron''' is vicious, extremely powerful, single-minded in his goals, straight-forward and brutally direct. He is all "blunt force" in contrast to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s penchant for deceit and trickery. On the downside, Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans (otherwise, he likely wouldn't have melted into ice-cold arctic water after being white hot from falling through [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, and spent ten-thousand years as a [[wikipedia:popsicle|popsicle]]), and even crippling injuries in pursuit of the coveted item. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Even the destruction of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Autobot]]s is a secondary concern. In Megatron's cerebral processor, all that has become important are the whims of his [[The Fallen|master]] and, by extension, the [[AllSpark]].

While [[Megatron (disambiguation)|some]] merely dislike or disregard humans, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards them and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner. Even if there was no AllSpark, it's not hard to imagine that Megatron would have come to this planet anyway, just to cleanse one more world of its organic infection.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{note|Voicework is from [[Transformers: Beginnings]], a condensed flash-animated retelling of the first movie prequel comic series.}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

High Protector Megatron, the supreme commander of the Cybertronian defense forces and firm leader of all of Cybertron, once ruled the entire planet seemingly side-by-side with Optimus Prime, protecting their world against all perceived hostile threats. For generations, the two ruled in peace—Megatron firm, with Prime being fair, creating an even (if sometimes strained) governmental balance. When Commander [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near the temple at [[Simfur]] and the unusual pulse waves that the [[AllSpark]] had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in the capital of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]]. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]
Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle until Optimus Prime made his most dangerous gamble. During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}}
{{-}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|Adaptations based on early drafts of the script show Megatron hoped to become a Prime under the Fallen. However, during Optimus' final battle with the ancient villain, he revealed Primes were born, not made. Here, Megatron was angered that he had been misled, refusing to aid his master and vowed never to serve anyone again. Optimus is revealed to be an orphan who was "hidden" from The Fallen, further indicating he is not biologically related to Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Revenge of the Fallen}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|Revenge of the Fallen}}}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
{{comingsoon}}
{{-}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name - imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.'
*On the 2 disc special edition of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]] Hasbro confirm that Megatron stands 35 feet tall in both live-action films.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Starships]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Megatron (Movie)

2011-04-05T20:46:14Z

Plo Koon 1: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is the [[Decepticon]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is often referred to as "Lord Megatron". Known to humans as both "The Ice Man" and "The Mega-Man" and more formally as [[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial|N.B.E.]]-01''

[[Image:Movie_Megatron_Defiance3.jpg|thumb|300px|Friends, [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticonians]], countrybots, lend me your audio receptors!]]

Once the [[Lord High Protector]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the "[[brother]]" of the science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], '''Megatron''' is vicious, extremely powerful, single-minded in his goals, straight-forward and brutally direct. He is all "blunt force" in contrast to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s penchant for deceit and trickery. On the downside, Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters, glaring flaws in his plans (otherwise, he likely wouldn't have melted into ice-cold arctic water after being white hot from falling through [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, and spent ten-thousand years as a [[wikipedia:popsicle|popsicle]]), and even crippling injuries in pursuit of the coveted item. Trying to talk Megatron out of blindly going for his goals is useless. He will risk his world, his troops, and even his own [[spark]] to achieve his goals; these things do not matter to Megatron. Even the destruction of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Autobot]]s is a secondary concern. In Megatron's cerebral processor, all that has become important are the whims of his [[The Fallen|master]] and, by extension, the [[AllSpark]].

While [[Megatron (disambiguation)|some]] merely dislike or disregard humans, Megatron feels a violent hatred towards them and views them as only slightly above bacteria, a feeling exacerbated by spending decades as their prisoner. Even if there was no AllSpark, it's not hard to imagine that Megatron would have come to this planet anyway, just to cleanse one more world of its organic infection.

{{quote|You still fight for the weak! That is why ''you lose!''|Megatron to Optimus|[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

{{note|Voicework is from [[Transformers: Beginnings]], a condensed flash-animated retelling of the first movie prequel comic series.}}

[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Know your place, boy!"]]

High Protector Megatron, the supreme commander of the Cybertronian defense forces and firm leader of all of Cybertron, once ruled the entire planet seemingly side-by-side with Optimus Prime, protecting their world against all perceived hostile threats. For generations, the two ruled in peace—Megatron firm, with Prime being fair, creating an even (if sometimes strained) governmental balance. When Commander [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] returned from his patrol in the [[Eshems Nebula]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] was reporting on his science sector's continuing excavation of the site near the temple at [[Simfur]] and the unusual pulse waves that the [[AllSpark]] had been emitting ever since work began. At the excavation site, while Optimus' scientists were concerned with disturbing the ancient artifacts, all Megatron cared about was whether these relics might provide the same revitalising energy as the AllSpark. He was nettled when Optimus asserted the sector's dominion over all scientific and archaeological discoveries and reminded his junior that it was his defence force that protected this world, demanding to be informed of all possible threats from the excavation's findings. When Optimus dared to remind Megatron of the military's treatment of such discoveries as hostile, Megatron told Optimus that when ''he'' tried to be the leader of Cybertron, he could make those decisions, not ''now''. When a mysterious relic was discovered, Megatron ordered it removed at once, a demand that Optimus disagreed with. Just as the pair were about to launch into another argument, Cybertron fell under attack from Nebula inhabitants. Megatron had the relic quickly moved to his quarters under the guise of protecting it from the invaders. Arriving to find [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] seeking cover within the temple of Simfur, Megatron chastised their alleged lack of courage before he was hit by an alien tank vehicle. After destroying it, he told Starscream to keep Optimus' team out of the military's way and staggered back to his quarters in the capital of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]]. Drawn towards the relic, he ignored his injuries and scraped away at the layers of debris encrusting it before losing consciousness. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

[[Image:Defiance2_Megatron_warrally.jpg|thumb|250px|Mein Führer!]]

The relic used what little power it had left to repair Megatron's wounds. At first Megatron was angry, demanding the being to show himself to the Protector of all Cybertron. The relic explained that it was unable to do so without Megatron's help, and ''if'' he helped, the relic would make him '''Lord''' of Cybertron. The relic then fired beams of energy into Megatron's mind (turning his white optic sensors red), explaining what needed to be done, filling him with delusions of grandeur. When Optimus came looking for the Protector, Megatron had changed; he had become even more aggressive in his speech and demeanor, and what's more, he demanded Optimus gather his scientists to go to war. When Optimus explained the sector was not combat-trained, Megatron shot back that the scientists should have known what the aliens were after: the AllSpark. Optimus refused, stating that the army's mission was of defense, and it went against everything their society was based upon to exacerbate war. Megatron slammed Optimus into the wall and stated that their society then needed to ''change''. He held a massive saber-rattling war rally outside Trypticon, demanding vengeance upon the alien aggressors. He claimed that until the war ended, he would assume full control of the military, and everybody would answer only to him. Megatron ordered all flight-capable Cybertronians accompany him to the Eshems Nebula, where they launched a surprise attack against the still-unknown aliens. Megatron fought his way inside the alien flagship and personally executed the alien leader. He then ordered Starscream and his units to conduct a war of genocide: ''none'' of the aliens were to survive. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson. ]]

Megatron returned from the front with news of their success and awaited further instructions from his master. The relic ordered Megatron to prepare the way for his return by expanding the army, and at the end, Cybertron would be Megatron's, while everything else the master's. Megatron was enraged when the relic informed him that Optimus had snooped inside his quarters while he was fighting the aliens, and convinced the Protector that Optimus was after the same power the relic had promised ''him''. Now seeing that there were "enemies" within Cybertron as well as without, Megatron arranged to have the "traitors" taken care of by ordering [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]]'s security team to arrest Optimus, and sent Starscream's soldiers to kill all bar Optimus. However, Megatron underestimated Optimus, who personally defeated Starscream's squad. Nonetheless, he used the survivors as propaganda that treacherous malcontents sought to betray them all, and declared that Megatron's followers would now be reformed under a new image and a new name: '''Decepticons'''. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

[[Image:Movie Megatron Targetcomic sure.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Sit, boy — or I'll beat you to death."]]
Optimus's forces having eluded him for now, Megatron was given new orders by his master: build a [[Nemesis (ROTF)|mighty starship]] that would scour the stars for something very important to the relic's plans. The relic counseled Megatron to not make the same mistakes he did thousands of years ago, that his protege should strike without mercy or hesitation. The relic told Megatron the story of his mighty race, and how the AllSpark granted them great power and created the Transformer race, but it needed to be recharged by draining the power of a sun using specially-constructed [[Star harvester|harvesting]] devices, and their under-construction starship would be used to search for the last harvester in the galaxy. When Megatron presumed to believe he would accompany his master, he was rebuked and punished. Much later, the ''Nemesis'' was finally completed, and Megatron assigned [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to command the ship. The relic praising Megatron for his fine work, and ordered him to stay behind to continue the war. Over the next thousand years, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in a bloody struggle until Optimus Prime made his most dangerous gamble. During an assault on the Autobots personally led by Megatron and his hound, [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], the tyrant crushed an Autobot opponent's spark before casually tossing his corpse over his shoulder. He declared that the AllSpark would be his, to which Blackout assured his leader that he would personally see to it. Megatron was pleased by his minion's loyalty, but decided to dispatch him to assist Starscream's unit to prevent Optimus Prime's reinforcements from entering [[Tyger Pax]]. He then left to meet his destiny, but it slipped from his grasp; Prime had commissioned the AllSpark to be launched into the abyss of outer space. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:MovieMegatron Bumblebee torture comic.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Better get some ice on that.]]
After realizing Bumblebee had stalled him from claiming the Cube so the operation could be completed, Megatron tore off Bumblebee's arm—removing his weapon—and crushed his voice box, destroying his vocal processors so that the young Autobot would never speak of the affront to his destiny. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Megatron, believing Prime to be a desperate, inexperienced fool, gave chase. On the way, he detected the ''Nemesis's'' distress signal and soon found the mighty starship on a barren world, abandoned by all but his master. Megatron was berated for allowing the Cube to slip away from his grasp and ordered to thoroughly continue his chase. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} As Megatron tracked the AllSpark through space, he mused about his reasons for the war and how he and his "brother" were not all that different, as seen by Optimus' sentencing their home to a slow death by launching the Cube into space. Tracing the AllSpark via energy signature to [[Earth|a primitive world]], he lost contact with it upon atmospheric entry and crashed into the planet's icy northern pole. Low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], his safety buffers exhausted, Megatron went into [[stasis lock]].

Millennia later, in the year [[1897]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], the leader of the National Arctic Circle Expedition, discovered Megatron buried deep in the ice. Accidentally triggering Megatron's navigation system, Witwicky was blinded by a burst of light from the Decepticon leader's eyes, which imprinted the location of the AllSpark on his [[glasses]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}} Witwicky was subsequently driven insane by the experience, and upon his return to land, became the subject of attention by the United States government, who recruited adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] to investigate his fantastic claims. Simmons, Wells and their group followed Witwicky's route back to the Arctic, arriving early [[1898]], where they discovered Megatron's frozen body, and like Witwicky before them, inadvertently activated one of his systems upon entry into the cave, bringing him partially back on-line. The energy pulse this released caught the attention of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], a [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] abandoned on Earth by The Fallen, who quickly made his way to the Arctic, believing that The Fallen himself was the source of the pulse. Discovering the truth, Jetfire angrily informed Megatron that he has never heard of him, and punched him in the face. Simmons and Wells's group subsequently used explosives to send Jetfire punging into the freezing ocean; Megatron, too, was submerged, but jut before the cold overwhelmed him and he shut down again, he weakly proclaimed his name, which Simmons mis-heard as "Mega-Man". {{storylink|Original}} Simmons's organization set about constructing an environment dome around Megatron so he could be excavated and studied, which was completed in [[1899]]. Then, in [[1902]], the group discovered the AllSpark in the Colorado River, and quickly drew a correlation between it and their frozen "Mega-Man" because of the similar symbols that they were both decorated with. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2}}

Eventually naming itself [[Sector Seven]] and arranging construction of the [[Hoover Dam]] to contain the AllSpark, the group initially planned to move Megatron to the dam as well in [[1935]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}} Unfortunately, some delays in the installation of the cryo-block system that would keep Megatron frozen delayed the planned move, however, and the outbreak of [[World War II]] put it on permanent hold. {{storylink|Weapon (issue)|Weapon}} It was in [[1954]] when Sector Seven definitively learned that they could not trust the Arctic cold to keep Megatron frozen when Communist sabotage of the organization's Arctic command post caused the Decepticon leader to thaw out, threatening the lives of the skeleton crew manning the base. Walter Simmons called for liquid nitrogen bombs to be dropped on the base, freezing Megatron solid once more only minutes after he awoke. {{storylink|Frozen}}
{{-}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
[[Image:MegatronMovie_GeoffSenior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''The Beast and its armies shall rise from the pit to make war against God.'']]

The [[AllSpark]] had not been blindly launched into space, however—its trajectory was leading it directly towards the [[Alkaris Anomaly]], a wormhole that could potentially transport the cube to any one of an infinite number of locations in the universe. Megatron was fully capable of catching up to the cube before it would enter the wormhole, but as he passed Cybertron's moon, he found himself ensnared by an Autobot tractor beam of remarkable strength that pulled him down to the moon's surface.

Enraged by the ignominy of it all, Megatron turned his weapons on the Autobots responsible, but quickly calmed down enough to realize that this was only playing into their hands, and instead ordered [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to take his place in the battle. Megatron swooped back into space, hot on the AllSpark's heels, but was unable to stop the cube from falling through the anomaly. Determined to have the AllSpark's power, Megatron chose to enter the wormhole himself, only to be spat out in some far-off star system, with no trace of the AllSpark... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2}}

Megatron entered the [[Solar system]], where he freed [[The Fallen]] from his pocket dimension prison on one of [[Saturn]]'s moons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen's profile}}

''This led into [[Movie Prequel issue 2|Movie Prequel #2]].''

{{notetitantlg}}

In another reality, he defeated Optimus at [[Mission City]], killed Sam Witwicky and took control of the AllSpark. He was fully linked to it and drew on its power—"It is me and I am it!"—giving him greater might and the ability to heal any wound. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

After conquering an unknown chunk of Earth (including the entire [[United States of America]]) with [[Dropkick]] as his second-in-command, he used the AllSpark's power to start turning Earth from an organic world into a new Cybertron. Optimus Prime lay frozen in the [[Hoover Dam|old Sector Seven base]], Autobot resistance was scattered, and NATO's threat to nuke occupied America was hardly much of one. [[Image:Megatron Bumbleslap.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"''Sigh'' Even mindless violence seems boring today..."]] The only thing bothering Megatron was those rebels breaking into Hoover Dam... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

Megatron personally arrived to face [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and hunted for him, trying to bait him into appearing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Realising the Autobot must have come with a human ally, he deliberately threatened to go after the human and thus got an emotional Bumblebee to make a defiant attack... at which point he backhanded Bumblebee into the wall and prepared to eviscerate him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} He gave the Autobot a chance at a swift death if he begged for mercy, and was quite impressed when Bumblebee merely asked "that all you got?", but was less impressed when Autobot reinforcements arrived. [[Image:Megatron Titan12.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Megatron's BDSM Dungeon just wasn't meeting expectations.]] He effortlessly smashed them aside and was about to kill [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] when a new challenger arrived: the revived Optimus! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}}

Optimus Prime got the snot beaten out of him, every attack he landed on Megatron being repaired by AllSpark power. However, he distracted Megatron long enough for Bumblebee to hit him with the ''other'' thing they'd broken into the Dam for: Sector Seven's greatest weapon, a nanovirus that targeted AllSpark operation frequencies. Infected, the tyrant was consumed from within by his own power and collapsed dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

Or so it appeared. He'd downloaded his mind into the AllSpark interface module, knowing Starscream would take it and assimilate it into himself. And so Megatron was able to be a voice in Starscream's head for weeks and weeks—and finally, when Starscream had suffered a setback and wanted a plan to stop the Autobots, Megatron gave him one: to let him out... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

While Starscream didn't, he ''did'' follow Megatron's tactical suggestions. He had the Decepticons use both carrot (promise of truce) ''and'' stick (multiple attacks) to make the US government, prompted by [[Theodore Allen|the mind-controlled President Allen]], boot out the Autobots—and then nuke them as they left, giving the Decepticons a clear shot at reconquest! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} This plan backfired when [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] intervened, and Megatron visited a broken, gibbering Starscream to once again tell him the only way out was to release him and let him walk the Earth again. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}
[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|left|350px|thumb|''You're looking throooough me...'']]

This time Starscream ''did''... much to his dismay when he realised what he'd done. And so, when Stockade's New Decepticons stormed the [[Decepticon Heartland]], Megatron was there to "greet" them with fiery death!

Megatron fought Stockade in single combat, and [[Nucleon]]-fueled punches rained down on him—only for him to ''grab'' a punch and use the momentum to hurl his opponent, berating him for lacking clear ambition to support his strength. This fight would've carried on except then the Autobots turned up. Trashing a rebellion, conquering Earth, ''and'' killing Optimus Prime in one day?! WOOOOO!

But Optimus drew first blood, and before Megatron could truly fight back, he was forcibly teleported with his Decepticons to Cybertron. A dead Cybertron. A dead Cybertron that itself teleported to an unknown area of space, leaving them trapped with no way back and no way off, ''forever''.

{{bigquote|'''PRIIIIIME!'''}}

{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
"The Ice Man" was kept in deep freeze by [[Sector Seven]] in their super-secret [[Sector Seven High Arctic Base|High Arctic Base]] until they decided to move him closer to the [[Allspark]] in [[1969]]. The convoy was disrupted when the driver of the lead truck spun out causing the rest of the vehicles to pile up on the icy roads. It was determined later that the driver was the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spy [[Sergei Tasarov]] who had taken the place of the Sector Seven agent Peter Hodgson.

While the convoy prepared their defenses and a Soviet strike force attacked trying to obtain the Ice Man.

When Megatron came partially online, it was obvious that some time had passed. Not only was he encased in a primitive transport, but there were [[Human|lifeforms]] fighting over him. Before Megatron could properly exterminate them, another crude transport crashed into his, causing a massive (but not spark-threatening) explosion. Megatron would have been pleased to know that the fire only added to his terrifying visage in the eyes of the maggots. Regaining his composure, Megatron noticed [[Philip Nolan|an insect]] standing near him. As Megatron reached out to grab it, [[Thomas Kinnear|another insect]], this one terminally damaged, began firing crude projectiles which his body armor easily deflected. Waiting until after the creature had expended its ammunition, Megatron grabbed it in his hand, only to discover that it had packed itself with explosives, which threw Megatron to the ground when they detonated. Then, the aforementioned first insect began spraying liquid nitrogen on Megatron, causing him to go back into stasis. Unable to escape, Megatron screamed a dark vengeance upon his captors. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[José Santacruz]] (Brazil), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_ArchibaldWitwicky.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh baby you know just the spot to turn me on!]]

Megatron eventually succeeded in tracking the AllSpark to [[Earth]], where he rather embarrassingly crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen solid for thousands of years. In [[1897]], some 100 Earth-years before the arrival of the other Transformers, he was discovered by an explorer named [[Archibald Witwicky|Archibald Amundsen Witwicky]]. Captain Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigation system and caused the coordinates of the AllSpark to be etched onto the explorer's glasses. Megatron remained imprisoned in the Arctic until the 1930s, when he was dug out by the United States government and moved to a secret [[Sector Seven]] stronghold inside [[Hoover Dam]]. In the years that followed, many modern devices (by Earth standards) were reverse-engineered from his frozen body.

[[Image:Movie Megatron breakout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mace isn't for spraying, it's for hitting.]]

In the present day, having searched the galaxy for the AllSpark and being drawn to Earth, the remaining Decepticons learned of Witwicky's glasses. Through the Internet, they determined the location of both Megatron and the AllSpark inside Hoover Dam. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrated the dam and shut down the power systems, while Starscream attacked the external powerlines, resulting in Megatron's thawing out. Once again online, the leader of the Decepticons informed the worthless insects of his true name, shouting "I am Megatron!" (to clear up all that N.B.E.-01/Ice Man nonsense), randomly killed a few of them while destroying his former prison, then transformed and flew off after the AllSpark again. He met up with Starscream for the first time in thousands of years on the outside, and, never one for pleasantries, immediately demanded to know where the Cube was. Upon learning that the humans had moved the AllSpark, Megatron berated Starscream for yet another failure.

[[Image:Movie2007_Megatron_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You fail me once again Starscream... will I ever meet [[Starscream (SG)|a Starscream that is truly loyal?]]]]

After Starscream and Devastator's opening attacks in [[Mission City]], Megatron arrived, and again declared his name (he really wants people to know who he is). The Autobots were so panicked by the sight of their long lost nemesis that [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] called for a temporary retreat. Megatron blasted [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] away when the diminutive Autobot attempted to attack, then threw him into the air before crushing him on top of a tower with his clawed talons. Jazz vainly fought on, asking if Megatron wanted a "piece", but doing little damage to Megatron. The Decepticon leader killed the Autobot by tearing him in half, callously declaring that he wanted "two".

[[Image:Movie Megatron jetmode cityfight.jpg|250px|thumb|Whoa, that energon's not settling too well.]]

As [[Sam Witwicky|the human boy]] ran off with the AllSpark, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to [[Decepticons, attack|attack]]. Devastator attacked the armed insects, while Starscream and [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] fought [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and Ratchet for the AllSpark. At that moment, Optimus Prime appeared and challenged Megatron. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen the animosity Megatron felt for his brother, however. Barely managing to growl out Prime's name, he transformed and flew at Prime at full speed. The Autobot leader leapt and grabbed a hold of Megatron, who slammed him into a building before flying right through a skyscraper. Both leaders landed in the middle of an intersection, but Megatron was the first to recover and leaped upon his brother, snarling that the humans were undeserving of life. Optimus Prime replied that they had the right to choose for themselves before he threw his brother off. Megatron declared that if Prime wished to defend them, he should "join them in extinction", forming his [[fusion cannon]]. Before he could fire, the Autobot leader drew his [[ion blaster]] and fired, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon leader shrugged off this attack, spun around from the momentum and fired his cannon, throwing Optimus Prime into the side of a building.

[[Image:Movie Megatron Samonroof.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Oh look I found a stray human... wonder if I can keep him as a pet... come on boy, don't be scared. I'll take you to a new home.]]

Megatron pursued the young human who had removed the AllSpark from Hoover Dam, destroying everything that stood in his way. The boy ran to a dilapidated building that was the designated coordinates for a human military evacuation team, and Megatron smashed his way through, yelling that he could smell the human maggot. Starscream destroyed the helicopter intended to take the AllSpark, and Megatron burst through the floor, inquiring if it was courage or fear that compelled him. Finally cornering him on a ledge, Megatron offered that if the human gave him the AllSpark, the boy might live as [[Ravage (G1)|his]] [[Laserbeak (G1)|pet]]. The Decepticon leader relished the human's defiant refusal and destroyed the ledge the human was standing upon, sending the boy tumbling to the ground.

[[Image:Movie2007_Prime_Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Get up, so I can knock you back down!]]

Unfortunately, the human was caught by Optimus Prime, who then tried to escape down the side of the building before Megatron tackled him and sent all three slamming into the pavement. As a nearby [[Michael Bay|human bystander]] attempted to run, the Decepticon expressed his disgust at the insect's proximity and flicked it away. Protecting the young boy, Prime declared that their war would end here and it was now just between the two brothers. Though lusting for the AllSpark, Megatron decided to indulge his brother's obvious death wish, declaring that only he was in this fight. Despite Optimus Prime's best efforts, Megatron was relentless, matching the Autobot leader with blow after devastating blow until he collapsed. Adding insult to injury, Megatron informed Prime that his defense of the "weak" was the real reason he lost.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|left|250px|thumb| The AllSpark will give you sparkburn!]]

The Decepticon leader turned his attention back to the human boy, but was suddenly attacked by the human fighter jets and [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]]'s ground soldiers firing sabot rounds. Optimus took this chance, striking Megatron and knocking him down. His armor a damaged, shattered mess, Megatron ignored the punishment and focused on the human boy, growling that he would kill the boy and that the AllSpark was his. As Optimus Prime ordered the boy to place the AllSpark into his chest, the human instead pushed it into the now-exposed [[spark]] in Megatron's chest, overloading him with energy and extinguishing the Decepticon's life force. As Optimus Prime stood over Megatron's lifeless shell, watching the light flicker out of his brother's [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optics]], he remarked somberly, yet remorsefully, that Megatron had left him no choice, and removed a shard of the AllSpark from his brother's spark cavity.

Megatron's body was dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at its deepest point, along with the remains of the other Decepticons, where the near-freezing temperatures would, hopefully, keep them dormant indefinitely. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Megatron was ''born'' evil, always wanting domination of everything. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager Megatron}} His fiery diatribes still managed to sway thousands, however. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Robot Replicas|Robot Replica Megatron}}

At some point, he took a stealth mode so he could attack Optimus without warning. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Night Attack Megatron}}

When frozen on Earth, he remained vaguely conscious and remembers a few things from when he warmed up slightly. At one point, his body was worshipped as a god by [[protohuman]]s. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Premium Series Megatron}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
[[Image:BWDiorama Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|]]
On Earth in the past and in another universe, a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by another [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], battled a contingent of [[Maximal]]s in a forest. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Convoy Chapter}}

Some time into the battle, a warp opened, bringing with it [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After being defeated by the Maximals, Starscream joined the Predacons. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Tigatron Chapter}} [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] later appeared and joined the Predacons, as well. As the battled raged, Megatron came in through the warp. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Gimlet Chapter}}

The Decepticon Megatron brought along [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and the two Megatrons combined their troops into a fearsome force against the Autobots and Maximals. In the ensuing skirmish, Megatron stood on a cliff edge and loomed over the battle. The two factions then took formation against each other with the intention of combining their energies to attack the opposing side. The Predacon Megatron led the combined Predacon/Decepticon force. With [[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] leading the charge, the Maximals and the Autobots attacked first. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Megatron's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}} When he arrived to oversee the burial of those who fell in Mission City, Optimus Prime noticed the surviving AllSpark fragment glowed when near Megatron's body, and gave it to [[Professor Vine]] for safekeeping. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} Weeks later, Megatron, along with Blackout, was dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English), [[Kōtarō Nakamura]] (Japan), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[José Santacruz]] (Brasil) [[Luca Biagini]] (Italian), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)

[[Image:ROTFMegatronRising.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Now, where's Starscream? I want to give him a piece of my mind.]]

Megatron's death would not last long, however. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] tapped into a conversation between [[NEST]] and General [[Morshower]], listening to Director [[Theodore Galloway]] mention that 1) a shard of the [[AllSpark]] was in storage in [[Diego Garcia]] and 2) Megatron's body lay in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] was sent to steal the shard, and swam to the Abyss with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Scalpel ordered spare parts be used to repair Megatron's body with "ze little one", who was torn apart by his larger brethren, and then struck Megatron with the shard: the Decepticon leader was reborn as a Cybertronian tank with flight capabilities and a [[death-lock pincer]]. Megatron flew up to the surface, striking a submarine on his way, before journeying into space to find the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"My Master, I have fai--" "I'm trying to watch the game here!"]]

On the ruined ship, Megatron met up with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], and chastised his subordinate for leaving him to die on Earth. Starscream defended his actions by saying that he had to take care of the [[hatchling]]s, who were dying without [[energon (fuel)|energon]], as someone had to take command in Megatron's absence. Furious, Megatron bashed Starscream into a wall containing protoform sacks, and told Starscream that even in death, there is no command but Megatron's. Megatron met up with [[The Fallen]], who was weakened and in a life support chair. Megatron told his master he had failed and allowed the AllSpark to be destroyed, but The Fallen told Megatron that the knowledge of the AllSpark had instead been transferred to the human boy who killed him, [[Sam Witwicky]]. With the knowledge within Sam's mind, they could find another energon source, hidden away from The Fallen eons ago. Already eager to avenge himself, Megatron begged The Fallen for the chance to strip the flesh from Sam, but The Fallen asked for patience. Before they could act, Megatron was to kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], which made him the only one that could kill the Fallen. Megatron knew that Optimus would protect the boy, and ordered him captured.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron tank mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Don't blink. He isn't like this much.]]

Megatron sprang a trap, dispatching [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to take [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Leo Spitz]] to him at an abandoned factory. Although Megatron would have rather killed Sam slowly and painfully, Sam had valuable information as to the energon source's location in his mind, which he had received from his own AllSpark fragment. Megatron held the boy down while Scalpel performed several invasive probes of Sam's mind. Scalpel's probes confirmed The Fallen's claims, and Scalpel declared that they needed Sam's brain on the table, something Megatron had no objections to. Just as Scalpel was ready to dissect Sam's brain, Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] burst in to rescue the humans. Megatron attempted to attack Optimus, but was instead shot out of the factory. Optimus drove Sam to a forest, with Megatron in hot pursuit. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders transformed and battled as Sam fled. Optimus was pretty easily dominating the fight, trash talking Megatron all the while, forcing Megatron to call his Decepticons for help.

[[Image:ROTFPrimePunch.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Body or face, Megatron?" "Not the face!" "Too bad!"]]

Starscream and Grindor arrived to aid their commander, as Megatron told Prime that Sam could lead them to another energon source. Kicking off his [[mouthplate]] and blasting him, Megatron asked Prime if one boy was worth the future of the Cybertronians. Prime replied that he'd never stop at killing just one, then took on all three Decepticons. Surprisingly, he was winning, stabbing Megatron multiple times and knocking off Starscream's arm. As a weary Prime tore Grindor apart, Megatron [[Death-lock pincer|stabbed]] him in the back and blasted through his spark: Prime fell, mortally wounded. As Megatron moved for the boy, the rest of the Autobots arrived and provided enough cover for Bumblebee to spirit Sam away. Already injured from the battle with Prime, Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That's IT! No more Mr. Nice Megatron!" "But you were never—" "SHUT UP!"]]

With Prime dead, Megatron was quite pleased, until Starscream informed him that the boy had escaped. Furious, Megatron smacked his lieutenant with his own severed arm and ran his treads on him for a moment for losing track of a single insect, but Starscream countered that he was one of seven billion, and could be anywhere. Considering the situation, Megatron decided it was time to end their secret war, and that if they couldn't find the boy, they'd have the humans bring him to the Decepticons. Soundwave used his scanning abilities to locate the boys parents, the rejuvenated Fallen broadcast a message to deliver Sam to them across the planet. Megatron himself broadcasted the Fallen's message by rewiring the [[Empire State Building]]'s radio tower.

[[Image:ROTFMegatronSam.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hey, he stole my purse! Wallet! I mean wallet!]]

He then flew to [[Egypt]], where nineteen thousand years before, the Fallen had built a [[star harvester]] to harness the [[Sun]] for energon. Starscream informed him that the humans had brought Prime's body with them, and Megatron surmised the boy's intentions. Commanding the rest of the Decepticons to begin their [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]], Megatron ordered [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] to destroy the pyramid that was built over the harvester, while he himself chased Sam for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which would activate the harvester. Megatron almost killed Sam, but was overwhelmed by human gunfire, and flew off.

[[Image:ROTF Megatron not over.JPG|thumb|right|250px|It's just a flesh wound. Err, armor wound.]]

Fortunately, The Fallen managed to take the Matrix and activate the harvester, but it had already been used to resurrect Optimus. Optimus combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and destroyed the harvester, knocking Megatron off the pyramid while Prime went for The Fallen. Quickly recovering, Megatron attacked Optimus from behind, leading to a two on one match with Megatron and the Fallen battling Prime. This one went better for Optimus than the last one, as he used Megatron's own cannon to blast half his face off, and then severed the arm. Finally, Optimus used his afterburners to send Megatron hurtling through some ruins, ending his role in the battle. Megatron was so damaged he could barely call out for "Tharscweam!", but it soon mattered little as Optimus Prime killed the Fallen. Horrified at the loss of the power behind the Decepticons, Megatron acknowledged Starscream's advice that they should flee, but noted that "This isn't over." {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|Adaptations based on early drafts of the script show Megatron hoped to become a Prime under the Fallen. However, during Optimus' final battle with the ancient villain, he revealed Primes were born, not made. Here, Megatron was angered that he had been misled, refusing to aid his master and vowed never to serve anyone again. Optimus is revealed to be an orphan who was "hidden" from The Fallen, further indicating he is not biologically related to Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Revenge of the Fallen}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|Revenge of the Fallen}}}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tony Gialluca II]] (English), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin-American Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions4_Megatron.JPG|right|thumb|300|You wants a Megatron more ugly?]]

Hiding in a disused factory, Megatron was able to cloak the energy signature of his spark, so that when Optimus and Sideswipe turned up, they didn't notice him hiding under a pile of girders. He was able to get the drop on them and sneeringly mocked them as they fought, until Sideswipe jabbed him in the foot. Optimus suggested he surrender, but Megatron instead transformed to tank mode and brought the roof down on them. By the time the two Autobots recovered, Megatron was gone. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 4}}

Not soon after the encounter, Megatron ordered his subordinate [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to rendevous somewhere in the Arctic, and revealed that he knew of his ambition to take over leadership of the Decepticons. However, due to the Autobots tracking Starscream en route to Megatron's location, Optimus Prime appeared not long after. Starscream and Megatron double-teamed Optimus for a brief time before the other members of Optimus's team arrived. Ordering Starscream to deal with the others, Megatron continued to attack. Megatron is soon beaten down and asks his foe if he will finish him, but Optimus grants him mercy and allows him to escape. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Megatron recieved the energy signature of [[Soundwave (ROTF)| Soundwave]], and tracked him to a bullet train, which he soon stopped dead in its tracks (literally). [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]], [[Barricade (Movie)| Barricade]], Starscream, and [[Mindwipe (ROTF)| Mindwipe]] soon arrived on the scene. As Megatron attempted to retrieve his fallen communications officer, he discovered that it was in fact a hologram created by [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], and was a distraction while the Autobots arrived. Megatron once again fought Optimus, who pointed out that Megatron's alliances are merely because of fear, unlike the Autobots' alliances. The human military arrived, and the Decepticons were backed into a corner. Optimus then declared that they leave Earth or face the consequences. The other 'Cons retreat, while Megatron makes one final promise to destroy Earth the next time around, and blasts off into space. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Autobot campaign====
After arriving at Hoover Dam, Bumblebee saw Megatron and the AllSpark being held in the same room, which was guarded by lasers. After bringing down the lasers, Bumblebee managed to shrink the AllSpark, while under fire by Megatron. Following the Autobots to Mission City, Megatron ignominiously "flicked" Bumblebee away, then tried to grab the AllSpark from Sam. Optimus Prime arrived and the two fought in the Mission City park. After Prime believed that he had destroyed Megatron, Sam handed the AllSpark to Prime, but Megatron jumped into the air with his flail, making one last attempt at nailing Prime. Prime caught the flail in its path and yanked Megatron towards him, shoving the AllSpark into his chest. Pretty ruthless there, Prime, pretty ruthless. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
After learning Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream sabotaged the dam's power, allowing Megatron to thaw out and awaken. After Megatron emerged, Starscream and Blackout bowed before their Lord, who declared that they had much to do. After the Decepticons dispatched the Autobots, Megatron, hoping to draw Prime out, went on a rampage in Mission City, declaring that the city would burn beneath his feet (this means toastie toes, but he's willing to make that sacrifice). Megatron and Prime played a game of cat and mouse, with Megatron tracking Prime and Sam, until Megatron finally destroyed Prime, then merged the AllSpark with his spark, becoming even more powerful in the process (...wait, what?). After decimating Earth, Megatron took the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] as his throne, then ordered Starscream, Brawl, and Barricade to finish the planet, before going on to conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
Having landed on Earth some thousands of years ago, Megatron was thought to be frozen somewhere in the Arctic. As the Autobots looked for clues as to his location, they eventually arrived in the frozen desert long enough to realize the humans had found him, as well as the [[AllSpark]]. Once they hacked into the communications array at the base, they found documentation leading to the Hoover Dam, where the Autobots and Decepticons raced. Some wishing to free him, most hoping to destroy him, the Transformers fought over the base until the Decepticon leader was finally freed. Once out of cryo-storage, Megatron proceeded to steal the AllSpark from the Autobots and began a destructive rampage through Tranquility, until he was finally defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]]. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
With Megatron frozen in the Hoover Dam, the Decepticons fought to free their leader. However, as was quickly made apparent, Starscream and his young protege, a [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]], sought to eliminate their leader. This quickly changed, as Create-A-Bot was convinced by Barricade to free their commander, as Starscream is a back-stabbing bureaucrat while Megatron is a truly zealous leader. Even though both would kill you in an instant, Megatron would at least do it to your face so you could see it coming.

Once free, Megatron quickly took the time to wipe out Jazz, who has been left at the bridge to help get rid of Megatron. After a fairly short battle, Megatron smashed Jazz into the dirt, leaving him to die. Back in Tranquility, he chased after Starscream, only to be blocked by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Once the sibling rivalry was finished, Prime was left in pieces in the streets of Tranquility.

Arriving in the Casino Strip, Megatron found Create-A-Bot damaged and Starscream flying away. Giving chase, he attacked his traitorous second-in-command, nearly destroying him despite his awesome AllSpark driven powers. Starscream used his last breath to insult Megatron before being killed by the tyrant. Returning to Create-A-Bot's side, Megatron took a moment to call him a weakling and a failure, completely forgetting about the fact that Create-A-Bot had saved him, led him to Starscream, destroyed the Autobots, and served him more loyally than most of his other followers. Taking a moment to let this sink in, Megatron went on to tell him that the weak are made to serve the strong, then ripped the young Decepticon apart and ate his Spark. Megatron then took off into the sky with intentions unknown. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===

{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. The final battle is against Megatron and the Fallen at the [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]].}}
[[Image:Megatron battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Run, Bumblebee! Run!]]
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
=====Decepticon campaign=====
{{bigquote|Did you think you'd seen the last of Megatron, insects?!?|Megatron}}

[[Image:ROTF game Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I...am...Galva—oh, wait, I'm still Megatron.]]

Megatron was the Decepticons' well-rounded fighter. He was armed with a rapid-firing lightning gun and a dark matter beam. His special ability fired his fusion arm cannon, which would deal heavy damage to any targeted enemy.

After NSA Director [[Theodore Galloway]] was captured and made an unwitting puppet for the Decepticons, he revealed the location of the last [[AllSpark]] shard and Megatron's final resting place. After the shard was retrieved by Ravage the Decepticons launched a full-scale assault on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] fleet assigned to watch over Megatron. While Starscream, and his drone army kept the Autobots and humans busy, the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] used the shard to revive Megatron, who rose from the ocean like an angel of death, before flying off into space. Back on the wreck of the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron very blandly told Starscream off for abandoning him on Earth, but otherwise didn't seem to be terribly irritated.

Speaking with The Fallen, Megatron believed he had failed, but The Fallen said that the knowledge within the AllSpark was placed within [[Sam Witwicky]]'s mind. With it, they could find another means of creating Energon. Eager for revenge, Megatron assigned [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] the mission of capturing the human boy who brought him low for interrogation. Though Megatron managed to retrieve the information he required from the boy, he was prevented from killing the fleshling due to the intervention of the Autobots. Soon after, Megatron faced Optimus Prime in not-quite one-on-one combat in a major United States East Coast city. Though Optimus was supported by numerous [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] Megatron seemingly defeated his enemy once and for all.

After the destruction of the human superweapon known as the [[Axiom Gun]] in [[Cairo]], Megatron journeyed to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to witness The Fallen activate the [[star harvester]]. However, Optimus Prime arrived informing Megatron that The Fallen's promise was false, and that he had no way of making Megatron a Prime, as they were born, not made. Enraged of this betrayal by his master, Megatron fought through numerous drones and shrugged off telekinetic attacks to impale The Fallen through the head with his sword, an act which also ironically saved Earth's solar system.

After the defeat of The Fallen, Megatron returned to the ''Nemesis'', unleashing his dormant army of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

Though [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save most of the North Atlantic fleet from the Decepticon assault, Megatron was reactivated and escaped from his watery grave.

Much later, Optimus Prime journeyed to Egypt to find Sam Witwicky and the ancient seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Unfortunately, both Megatron and Starscream turned up, intent on preventing the Autobots from interfering with The Fallen's plans. While Jetfire dueled with Starscream, Megatron once again engaged with his old foe. Megatron fell in defeat. In spiteful vengeance, Megatron impaled Jetfire through the back before escaping with Starscream.

After the death of The Fallen and the destruction of the star harvester, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] informed the Autobots that his telemetry indicated that Megatron was aboard a Decepticon transport in a distant galaxy. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===Allspark Highway===

Megatron and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from getting the Allspark to safety. While he deployed his minions on the ground, Megatron was prepared to strafe the Autobots from the skies if they took a wrong turn. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
====Xbox 360/PS3====
{{comingsoon}}
{{-}}

==Toys==

{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Megatron (Movie)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Megatron olduglyface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm blind!]]
* The prototype photographs on the back of Leader and Voyager class Megatrons' packaging show him with a completely different head based upon an earlier version of CGI design (seen on the right) that was dropped after much negative fan reaction.
* According to The Movie Guide, Megatron is one of the few Transformers capable of space travel without reverting to a Protoform. This explains how he was capable of chasing the AllSpark ''immediately'' after its launch.
[[Image:EarlyMegsMovieConceptartwithG1headandbody.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This would've shut [[GEEWUN| them]] up.]]
* The earliest concept designs of Megatron gave him a look very much inspired by his ''Generation One'' counterpart. Unlike the Cybertronic jet seen in the first movie, this Megatron was intended to transform into an army tank.
* According to [[The Quest for the AllSpark]] paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty." (This implies that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" at one time.) Similarly, in the ''Autobots'' version of the same DS game, it is noted that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father. However, in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.12|twelfth issue of Titan's ROTF comic]], [[Barricade (Movie)|"Barricade"]] informed readers that Megatron and Optimus weren't related, the term "brother" was just because they'd known each other for so long.
* Early script drafts and a [[Optimus Prime Versus Megatron|children's picture book]] featured Megatron consuming the [[spark]]s of his fallen foes, but this didn't make it into the final film due to time constraints. The novelisation of the movie, on the other hand, sees him chow down on Jazz in the final battle; similarly, although not outright stated in dialogue, his animalistic pouncing on the fallen bodies of various characters (including Optimus Prime, Starscream, Jazz and the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]]) in the Movie Nintendo DS games, following by what appears to be rooting around in their innards, seems to suggest he's doing the same there.
* Despite his undeniable hatred of humans, Megatron is the only Decepticon in the movie who doesn't speak [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]] for the majority of his dialogue. In fact, he speaks ''fluent'' English upon reviving, despite the fact that [[wikipedia:Modern English|Modern English]] came into existence around the Sixteenth century, when he was presumably still frozen in the ice. This could suggest that he still was somehow conscious when he was studied by Sector Seven (which he also overtly states upon awakening in the IDW comic adaptation). This would explain why his first action after thawing was declaring his name - imagine being frozen for generations being referred to as "N.B.E. 1", or even worse: "Mega-man" ''and'' "Ice-man".
* The Megatron computer generated model consisted of 2411 individual pieces, 433,949 polygons, 8924 rig nodes, and 1437 texture maps. The pieces combined gave a volume of 10,325 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' has apparently stolen this Megatron's head, at least for the [[Transform and Roll Out|first episode]].
* There are some problems with Simmons' statement about various technologies being reverse-engineered from Megatron. Cars came about in one shape or form at about the turn of the century, and spaceflight technology was pioneered by German and Soviet scientists. Of course, Simmons isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so he could be exaggerating. Additionally, if Megatron has been consistently frozen the entire time that Sector Seven had him in custody, and he remains undamaged, how were humans able to non-invasively study him in order to understand his technology without the technology needed to scan or dissect Megatron? They'll always have ''[[Ghost 1]]'' though.
[[Image:MBMovieMegatronAttacks.jpg|thumb|250px|You'll find battling me A COSTLY MISTAKE, Optimus Prime!]]
*The [[Milton Bradley]] [[Transformers Battling Card Game]] depicts a couple of unique attacks for Megatron's original form; one card gives him a pair of forearm-mounted blades as an "Arm Sword", and another shows him firing a swarm of missiles from his chest in a "Missile Attack".
*It was decided that Megatron would not be renamed Galvatron in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' for the sake of the general audience.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-229.html#post3421064 Roberto Orci answers fan questions on the TFW2005 boards.]
</ref>
*While ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'' and the [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic adaptation]] create the idea that Megatron is a [[Triple Changer]] that alternates between his robot, jet, and tank modes, there is absolutely nothing to support this in the movie. Throughout the entire film, he only transforms into a winged tank portrayed by the Voyager figure and is more than capable of flying in said mode. Of course, whether or not his flying tank mode is considered a third mode is up to your interpretation.
*According to his bio on the Hasbro sticker sheets, ROTF Megatron weighs in at 5.7 metric tons, is 35 feet tall, uses an 'Ion-fused chain whip' for his primary weapon, has a 'Strength power level' of 10, and changes into an 'Interstellar jet.' The mention of a chain whip and a jet mode seem to indicate the card's stats were based on his original form, rather than his ROTF tank mode. The card also surmises that Megatron's might will 'make the Earth quake, and the stars fall from the sky.' On the 2 disc special edition of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]] Hasbro confirm that Megatron stands 35 feet tall in both live-action films.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Starships]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Talk:Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2010-12-27T21:37:56Z

Plo Koon 1: /* MEGATRON IN DARK OF THE MOON */

'''We do not care about leaks. Do not tell us who you saw on the set. Do not present us with images of stolen toys. Unless you can [[Help:Official info|source it in an official press release or reputable news source]], we do not care. Please stop telling us who you saw in set photography.'''

== Release date ==

This page claims a release date of 1 July 2011, yet one of the sources given ([http://tformers.com/transformers-/11777/news.html]) gives a release date of 4 July 2012. Which is correct? [[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 12:25, 6 October 2009 (EDT)
: That Tformers source is from months ago, before the release date was moved up. --[[Special:Contributions/67.149.197.71|67.149.197.71]] 12:59, 6 October 2009 (EDT)
::Thanks. [[Special:Contributions/199.90.28.195|199.90.28.195]] 15:21, 6 October 2009 (EDT)

Ik hoop dat Transformers 3 is heel beter dan RotF. Of anders... [[Special:Contributions/71.254.158.28|71.254.158.28]] 22:46, 13 October 2009 (EDT)

== Image ==

Wikipedia has a picture of a Transformers 3 titlecard. Should it be put here too? And Megan Fox should be added to the cast list.
--[[Special:Contributions/24.69.64.254|24.69.64.254]] 22:48, 3 December 2009 (EST)
:[https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.html michaelbay.com] does confirm Megan Fox, so she could be included with the reference, but I don't know where that image came from. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 22:56, 3 December 2009 (EST)
::Said titlecard would be from Hasbro's Investor Day presentation back on November 5. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 23:44, 3 December 2009 (EST)
:::Well, then somebody put those things here already --[[Special:Contributions/24.69.64.254|24.69.64.254]] 20:01, 7 December 2009 (EST)
:::I'm waiting...--[[Special:Contributions/142.32.208.231|142.32.208.231]] 15:06, 14 January 2010 (EST)
just take off the picture its inapropriote for the kid users {{unsigned|208.102.3.1|15:53, 12 June 2010 (EDT)}}
:The movies themselves are pretty kid-inappropriate. --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 16:00, 12 June 2010 (EDT)
::a silhouette of a woman is not appropriate for kid users? They'd see worse on billboards. --[[User:Abates|abates]] 19:21, 12 June 2010 (EDT)
:::I'm not too crazy about the image, but I don't think it's too terribly bad [it's nothing compared to some of the Kiss Player stuff or the drawing of Wheelie lifting Teletraan-15's skirt; that stuff troubles me (yes, I know that's the nature of the Kiss Player beast)]. Besides, I have a feeling that the James Bond-ish pic will be removed as soon as we get some pics of the movie posters (might still see it on the Rosie article, though). - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 22:52, 12 June 2010 (EDT)
I can add a photo of promotional poster/sign/thing that was part of Hasbro's public-facing booth display at Licensing Expo 2010 (it was next to a Bumblebee Camaro and a life-sized Bumblebee replica). It's a cell phone quality photograph, but it's got Prime in.
--[[User:Wednesday|Wednesday]] 17:42, 20 June 2010 (EDT)
:You might want to just upload the picture, then ask on its Talk Page if it cuts the mustard for this wiki (that's what I did for my pics of Movie Payload; good thing I did because it didn't cut the mustard). - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 20:05, 20 June 2010 (EDT)
::[http://skitch.com/wednesday/djnmu/tf3-poster-shot-a I can do that.] I'd need to crop it down a bit. [[User:Wednesday|Wednesday]] 01:07, 21 June 2010 (EST)
:::Pretty! We can definitely use that. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 01:26, 21 June 2010 (EDT)
::::Grainy, but purty. I know I'm just a commoner here, but I believe it can be used until a sharper image is available. - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 15:14, 21 June 2010 (EDT)
:::::Did I say 'grainy'? It looks much better when shrunk down. Good job, Walky, and thanks, Wednesday. - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 16:32, 21 June 2010 (EDT)

== James Avery as Silverbot? ==
[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136] --[[User:Eagc7]]

== New Actor Info ==

...is that seriously for real and not an early April Fool's prank on someone's part? Because... WTF? Who ever heard of Frances McDormand and John Malkovich doing anything in a Transformers movie? XD --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 10:54, 22 March 2010 (EDT)
:Hey now. Mrs. McDormand was in Aeon Flux, so it's not like she's above Hollywood fluff. And John Malkovich is in Jonah Hex and did things like Johnny English in the past. The Transformers film franchise attracted Hugo Weaving, Jon Voight and Robert Foxworth before them, so I don't see why other notable actors being cast would be such a shock. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 12:14, 22 March 2010 (EDT)
::Weaving and Foxworth, at least, are both actors who've done mainstream scifi franchise stuff before, so I wasn't surprised by them at all, actually. But I always thought of McDormand and Malkovich as being more artsy movie types. (Maybe I'm just still skeptical that TF3's script is going to be less horrible than TF2's.) --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 12:30, 22 March 2010 (EDT)
:::Yes, well, as I pointed out, it's not ''all'' they do. McDormand was in Aeon Flux. Malkovich is in a comic book film and was in a Rowan Atkinson comedy once, just to name a few. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 12:37, 22 March 2010 (EDT)
::::<nowiki>*</nowiki>Michael Bay signs biiiiiiiig paycheck* That's why :p --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 13:31, 22 March 2010 (EDT)
:::::John Malkovich should totally play Dr. Arkeville. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 13:41, 22 March 2010 (EDT)

== Possible Titles? ==

Has anyone else heard these rumours about the possible titles: Rise of The Primes/Unicron/Galvatron. It is unlikely to be true, but should it be put in the notes, maybe? [[User:Titanus Prime|Titanus Prime]] 14:27, 30 March 2010 (EDT)
:We do not talk about crackpot rumours on this wiki. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 14:32, 30 March 2010 (EDT)
::As soon as we get an official title, perhaps some of the rumored titles could be noted. Some, not all of them (maybe one or two likely titles and one off-the-wall one). - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 22:54, 30 March 2010 (EDT)

== Twins, Ironhide and Ratchet on TF3 ==

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-3-on-set-pictures---a-new-look-for-ratchet-169662/

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/first-behind-the-scenes-video-from-transformers-3-169679/ --[[User:Eagc7|Eagc7]] 0:13, 11 May 2010 (EDT)
:These are not official sources. A Humvee does not mean Ratchet WILL get a new paintjob, and a flying car does not indicate the Twins being in the film. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 00:43, 11 May 2010 (EDT)
::Well one guy sayed that skids Would Apepar and throw a car (samrt car) it he sayed that before the video apepared and the video Looks like what he syaed but like you sayed they not offical source, still --[[User:Eagc7|Eagc7]] 01:15, 11 May 2010 (EDT)
:::Bay Confirms tiwns are nto in tf3, but still the chevy spark/beat were spotted on set http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-spark-transformers-3.html--[[User:Eagc7|Eagc7]]
::::That's still not an official source. If you can find a link where Bay or someone involved with the production says they're in, then that would do. --[[User:Abates|abates]] 16:35, 11 May 2010 (EDT)
:::::http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/new-transformers-3-on-set-pictures---including-a-clear-view-of-ratchets-new-look-169900/ Isn't this enough to prove that Ratchet and Ironhide will return?--[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 04:29, 8 June 2010 (EDT)
::::::Not really. For example, the "Ratchet" could just be a fire department truck assigned as part of a NEST unit. Or it could have been painted up after the second movie in expectation of him being used in the third, but before a decision was made not to use him. The bottom line is that those aren't officially released photos. This isn't an "OMG look what I know that you don't site" trying to beat everyone to the punch by making half-baked predictions, it is an archive of what has been officially shown. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 08:10, 8 June 2010 (EDT)
:::::::I don't think so. That ambulance is too similar. Hummer H2 and Autobot symbol on it. Autobot symbols are only used in Autobot alternate mode vehicles. NEST vehicles have no symbols or they have NEST logo. And what about Ironhide? Images are excatly enough to confirmation. These should be enough. There are no more proofs needed.--[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 22:46, 8 June 2010 (EDT)
::::::::Doesn't matter. Those aren't OFFICIAL photos. They weren't released by Hasbro, Bay or anyone who has any control over things. They are, in effect, STOLEN intellectual property and DO NOT belong here. Whether your contentions turn out to be true or not is irrelevant. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 13:39, 8 June 2010 (EDT)
:::::::::Not only that, Michael Bay and others are on the record that they're intentionally spreading false info. Remember how there were sightings of Barricade around the time RotF was filming? - [[User:Cattleprod|Cattleprod]] 14:06, 8 June 2010 (EDT)
::::::::The pics have been confirmed and both ratchet and Ironhide have official pics with them being next to optimus prime and bumblebee and Ratchet still has his ''new'' colors. {{unsigned|98.204.17.1}} 16:27 8 June 2010 (EDT)
:::::::::Nope, we still don't count 'em unless Michael, Don, Nelson, or anyone directly affiliated/working on TF3 comes up and says so. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 16:29, 8 June 2010 (EDT)
::::::::::Why is this such a hard concept. Unless any new photo/news is released by Hasbro itself or one of the authorities in charge of the film it does not go on the wiki. <Cheetor> PERIOD. <Cheetor).--[[User:ZacWilliam|ZacWilliam]] 17:13, 8 June 2010 (EDT)
::Meh noone blevies they are i nmovie, WELL Lets wiat til lfilmngi begisn and you guys will see these pcis are REAL!!! {{unsigned|Eagc7|20:11, 10 June 2010 (EDT)}}
:::It's not a case of not believing they're in the movie. I would say most people believe it. It's a case of these pictures being leaked information without official confirmation. And we don't include that sort of info on the wiki. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 20:14, 10 June 2010 (EDT)
::::Right. This info might be "obvious", but sometimes leaked info is less obvious and open to interpretation. A line has to be drawn somewhere, and no leaked info ever is pretty clear. - [[User:Cattleprod|Cattleprod]] 21:00, 10 June 2010 (EDT)
:I have no idea will the Twins really appear or not. But I'm sure Ratchet and Ironhide would still return. Bay has denied appearance of the Twins twice. But as he or anyone lese part of the production says nothing to it, I've no reason to believe that they won't appear. - [[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 14:32, 15 June 2010 (EDT)
::True, but you have no official evidence that they will appear. Therefore, the wiki remains silent on their appearance or non-appearance in TF3. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 11:42, 15 June 2010 (EDT)
:::Looks like someone misunderstood. My point wasn't that their names should be added to the cast list.- [[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 15:44, 15 June 2010 (EDT)
::::Then what the heck WAS your point? This whole thread has been about whether or not these characters are confirmed as part of the cast of the new movie! --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 11:59, 15 June 2010 (EDT)

== Megan Fox ==
She was reportediy axed due to a want not to have Sam tied down with a love intrest.
http://movies.yahoo.com/news/usmovies.accesshollywood.com/megan-fox-dropped-from-transformers-3
:Reuters.com states it's due to Bay and company wishing to go a different direction. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J04920100520 Bottom line, Fox is gone. - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 21:32, 19 May 2010 (EDT)
::That news about Fox(cited) should probably be front and center in her own article, rather than down the bottom in trivia. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 01:11, 20 May 2010 (EDT)

== Shockwave Has villian and FInal Film in the franchise ==

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/308221-transformers-3-movie-details-possible-spoilers-2.html
:The above link is to the second page of a forum thread about an article ABOUT the article in question. Here's the actual article: http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me -- [[User:Semysane|Semysane]] 21:21, 10 June 2010 (EDT)
::For those who don't feel like reading through it: no more goofball humor; twins are basically gone; new love interest for Sam; Shockwave is new villain; involves USA/USSR space race; characters who die stay dead this time. -- [[User:Semysane|Semysane]] 21:30, 10 June 2010 (EDT)

== DINOBOTS? ==

In a interview with Josh Duhamel was asked if the dinobots are going to be in TF3,and he sayed that ''I can't answer that question'' which pretty much confirms that the Dinobots are going to be in it like they did with devastator in ROTF.so can we add them? {{unsigned|98.204.17.1}} 02:28, 13 June 2010 (EDT)
:His deflection of the question doesn't "pretty much" confirm anything. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 02:39, 13 June 2010 (EDT)
How so, he is playing coy and by now its common sense that when they do that it means its coming.Mis-information campaign. {{unsigned|98.204.17.1}} 11:27, 13 June 2010 (EDT)
:That's not official confirmation. Besides, Josh Duhamel is just an actor; for all we know, Lennox might not interact with the Dinobots. He might not even know who the Dinobots are. For now, they aren't confirmed. --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 11:32, 13 June 2010 (EDT)
::"he is playing coy and by now its common sense that when they do that it means its coming.Mis-information campaign." But he could be acting that way to make you think he means the Dinobots are in it when they really aren't. That's the thing about mis-information campaigns, you never really know what it all means until the movie comes out. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 12:17, 13 June 2010 (EDT)
:::So in short, ''wait'' until Paramount or Bay or other reporting agencies outright says either the Dinobots are going to show up or not. Better accuracy that way. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 13:44, 13 June 2010 (EDT)

== SIDESWIPE ==

Sideswipe was spotted on set.And YES michael bay and crew members were their so can we count that as confirmination? --[[User:Primetime]] 13:49,18 June 2010 (EDT)
:Source? --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 15:52, 18 June 2010 (EDT)
Transformers 3 - Update # 12 ( Filming Locations, Mark Ryan Interview and more!) --[[User:Primetime]] 13:55,18 June 2010 (EDT)

Dear God. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 15:56, 18 June 2010 (EDT)

I Found a video with Be,, swipe and ferrari on set can i psot it? --[[User:Eagc7|Eagc7]]
:'''''NO.''''' We've been over this countless times before, for the first film and for Revenge of the Fallen and now for this: We do not post anything that has not been officially released or revealed by Hasbro, Paramount or Michael Bay. This video was shot without authorization by onlookers on set and is not official. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 02:03, 19 June 2010 (EDT)

== Disclaimer ==

Do we need using a disclaimer/notice on the page[http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Transformers_3_(film) for reference] (not only the talk page), too? Since some users (especially new comers or anons) usually edit the page without reading the talk page first. --'''[[User:TX55|TX55]]'''''[[User talk:TX55|TALK]]'' 04:55, 19 June 2010 (EDT)
:An excellent idea. - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 12:23, 19 June 2010 (EDT)

== MARK RYAN ==

Mark Ryan the previous voice for bumblebee sayed in a interview that he was going to be doing several voices for characters(possible bumblebee).Since we don't know who he will be voicing but this is OFFICIAL can we put this in the notes section or take it in consideration?You can find the interview on the site.--[[User:Primetime]] 13:36, 19 June 2010 (EDT)

http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/
:That doesn't seem to say anything about him doing the on-screen voices, just that on-set voices (as he's always done). Bumblebee is not a guarantee, either. His only known line as Bumblebee in ROTF was cut. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 13:54, 19 June 2010 (EDT)

== Why ==

So let me get this straight...ummmm...so we can't add characters that were seen in videos or set pics.It safely confirms them so It seems strange that we cant add them it seems a little too...uptight(e.g.Ratchet,Primes G1 style trailer).Don't start bashing me and chewing me out.I just need a calm and good reason why.--[[User:Saberblade|Saberblade]] 1:20, July 15 2010 (EDT)

: We saw Barricade on set during ROTF's filming. Guess who wasn't in the movie? --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 01:26, 15 July 2010 (EDT)

Yes that's true.But Ratchet, sideswipe, and prime were seen during a big chase scene in chicago with a camera crew.hmmmmm.--[[User:Saberblade|Saberblade]] 01:47, 15 July 15 2010 (EDT)

:This is Micheal Bay, he probably drives to work every day in a huge car chase, firing an uzi out of his window. Besides, just because they were being filmed doesn't mean they will actually be in the movie. They could easily be cut later. Plus, it is NOT an OFFICIAL SOURCE. -- [[User:Semysane|Semysane]] 01:50, 15 July 2010 (EDT)

:Correct. And we only add officially-released information. --'''[[User:TX55|TX55]]'''''[[User talk:TX55|TALK]]'' 06:51, 15 July 2010 (EDT)

::The simple reason is that this is an archive of things that "have happened" in the Transformers universes, until the movie is released it "hasn't happened yet". --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 08:49, 15 July 2010 (EDT)

:::And Barricade ''wasn't'' on set during ROTF's filming. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 13:18, 20 July 2010 (EDT)

"We saw Barricade on set during ROTF's filming. Guess who wasn't in the movie? --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]]"

:actually, we did't. His altmode was seen 2 months before filming {{unsigned|24.253.95.14}}

I would have one little question: Are the call sheets trusted information?
--[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 7:41, 17 September 2010 (EDT)
:I would say 'no' because Bay could allow phony call sheets to be "leaked". Remember 'The Empire Strikes Back' which had a phony page in the script? I know it's not the same, but it's the same idea. - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 09:13, 17 September 2010 (EDT)
::Never heard about that thing with 'The Empire Strikes Back'. --[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 18:34, 17 September 2010 (EDT)
:::The fake page had Vader telling Luke that Obi-Wan killed Luke's dad. - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 14:24, 17 September 2010 (EDT)
:::: Obi-Wan kills Luke's Dad? D@mn it, SPOILERS, MAN! Those of us watching through the Clone Wars cartoon to get the story in order don't want to know what's coming up! -ZacWilliam (not signed in and unable to resist.)

== Carly? ==
do this Count has offical Confirmation or not? http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7552-Every-Little-Girl-Should-Be-Told-That-She-s-Pretty-Even-if-She-s-Not.&p=143091#post143091
:I'm so baffled by this I forgot the overblown "NO" reaction I had planned. --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 13:20, 20 July 2010 (EDT)
::[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7566-Transformers-3-Chicago-Set-Photos I guess it's official now.] Also, his news post on Bay's site apparently reveals [https://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php the name of the Ferrari Autobot]. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 13:36, 20 July 2010 (EDT)
:::Darn, I was pulling for a Bewitched-esque "No, Mikaela's always looked like this". --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 13:48, 20 July 2010 (EDT)
::::He edited the front page news. Now it says the Ferrari is parked on Rush Street. That's a weird screw up... --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 16:19, 20 July 2010 (EDT)

== Optimus' Trailer ==

There have been multiple pictures and videos of a semi truck with flames driving a trailer which heavily resembles [[Optimus]]' trailer from G1. The truck is a different truck than the two previous films which does support his redesign. Should we mention it?
:What were the sources of those pictures? Were they from Paramount? From mainstream news programs? From some guy hiding in the bushes and taking pictures with his cell phone? ONLY officially released information may go on this page. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 13:53, 22 July 2010 (EDT)

==Soundwave's Return==
Is it safe to put Soundwave on the character list since his head was seen on set?
:As the page says, repeatedly and in big letters, SET LEAKS DO NOT COUNT.--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 00:49, 24 July 2010 (EDT)
::Is there any way that the Edit button could be rerouted to a page that only reads (and perhaps states audiably) "If your info is from a set leak, don't post it here!"? I know that's virtually impossible, but I (and I'm certain quite a number of those here) are frustrated that these scoop hounds don't seem to understand what "officially released information" is. - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 08:24, 24 July 2010 (EDT)
:::The page itself is semi-protected, which already keeps our signal-to-noise pretty good.--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 13:24, 24 July 2010 (EDT)

== Rush ==
Where's Rush? He's official, in the movie and confirmed. He should be on the character list
--[[Special:Contributions/92.238.181.196|92.238.181.196]] 13:02, 24 July 2010 (EDT)
:Source? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 13:17, 24 July 2010 (EDT)
::I haven't seen Geddy Lee in any of these pictures. - [[User:RolonBolon|RolonBolon]] 13:19, 24 July 2010 (EDT)

Who's Geddy Lee? And it DID say Rush was the red ferrari but they must have changed it. That does not make it wrong. You cant just put a character in and remove it when it was confirmed before. Rush seems accurate and its clear they could not miss out the "st" the first time round. Its pure logic. --[[Special:Contributions/92.238.181.196|92.238.181.196]] 13:31, 24 July 2010 (EDT)
:Now it says that the Ferrari is parked on Rush Street. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 13:31, 24 July 2010 (EDT)
::That is NOT logic. It's quite possible that a picture could have been labeled Rush (no "St") as an indication of location. This note could easily have been misinterpreted by someone who didn't know the location as a name and posted. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 13:34, 24 July 2010 (EDT)

You are perhaps aware of Michael Bay's admission that he likes to spread misinformation right up to the day his movies are released?--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 13:38, 24 July 2010 (EDT)

OK so lots of people were mislead as well. And who is Geddy Lee and what has he got to do with the movie? --[[Special:Contributions/92.238.181.196|92.238.181.196]] 13:45, 24 July 2010 (EDT)
:Geddy Lee is the lead singer for the rock band Rush. --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 13:45, 24 July 2010 (EDT)
::If Rush is in this movie, I will line up for tickets. "Closer to the heart!" -- [[User:Semysane|Semysane]] 16:41, 24 July 2010 (EDT)

== Page edit ==

I was correcting a grammar error when the human list (and Sam Witwicky) were deleted, moving everyone else to the Decepticons. Can anyone help? -- [[User:Shackwave123|Shackwave123]] 9:33, 28 July 2010 (EDT)
:If </ref> is forgotten from a footnote, it happens. Same thing happened to me once, when I got a permission to edit this page. --[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 10:00, 6 August 2010 (EDT)

== Jolt ==

I know this isn't confirmed but look at this. [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/310669-tf3-info-regarding-jolt-confirmed-i-am-100-certain-details-inside.html [1]] But it may be helpful in the future! [[User:Erimal|Erimal]] 22:06, 29 July 2010 (EDT)
:We can't accept "insider source" info like that, nor is it truthfully helpful, and we don't care for info like that. As we said many, ''many'', '''many''' times, the '''''ONLY''''' sources of info that we'll accept is: A) directly from the press, B) directly from Michael or Steven themselves, C) directly from Nelson, Michael's webmaster. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 22:18, 29 July 2010 (EDT)
::I'm afraid Jolt won't return. Check this: http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/nelson---no-jolt-for-transformers-3-170344/ --[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 10:37, 3 August 2010 (EDT)

== Nelson - Michael Bay's webmaster ==

How do we classify Nelson's comments? Like he posts official news and filmed official hype videos of the Chicago set, and does things with (presumably) Michael Bay's authorisation, but he's also been linking youtube videos by people (unofficially) filming the Chicago set on the front page of Bay's website, videos that reveal things that have not yet been "officially" revealed. So we pick and choose what he says and does based upon what we think is "official" and what is merely him drumming up hype for the movie? I ask because he revealed what the three Nascars (seen in both youtube videos, unofficial set photos AND Nelson's own official set visit video) are referred to as on set at TFW2005, but I don't know how to classify that comment. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 23:52, 30 July 2010 (EDT)
:I'm inclined to go with Nelson's confirmations/denials on the boards, but videos we should hold off since we don't have context to go with it. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 00:05, 31 July 2010 (EDT)
::Yeah, I think if Nelson confirms stuff, we should take that as official word. --[[User:Abates|abates]] 04:05, 31 July 2010 (EDT)
:::http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-autobot-arrives-and-more-boom.html Nelson confirmed this new Autobot vehicle. It's a fire truck, but it's not Inferno or Hot Spot. --[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 09:11, 3 August 2010 (EDT)

== The Wreckers? ==

Should we include this? ([http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/UnForgottenHero/news/?a=20901]) --[[User:HeyTFWiki|HeyTFWiki]] 03:43, 31 July 2010 (EDT)
:I am asking that very question above your edit. Also, please sign off on your comments. It's the signature-looking button, or just type four of these <nowiki>~</nowiki> --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 03:57, 31 July 2010 (EDT)
::I'd feel better about including the Wreckers story if they included a link to the forum post in question in their news story. I can't even find a link to the forums on that site! --[[User:Abates|abates]] 04:00, 31 July 2010 (EDT)
:::I found the post, unfortunately the staffer at TFW who reported it is rather inexperienced and gets overexcited, so he forgot to link to the post. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 04:06, 31 July 2010 (EDT)
::::I'm just sayin'. --[[User:HeyTFWiki|HeyTFWiki]] 04:14, 31 July 2010 (EDT)
:::::Just clarified my above statement. I added the Wreckers thing to the page a few odd minutes ago :) --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 04:46, 31 July 2010 (EDT)
::::::Hope I contributed a big thing :D. By the way, [[User:FFN|FFN]] are you the only one who can edit Transformers 3 --[[User:HeyTFWiki|HeyTFWiki]] 05:00, 31 July 2010 (EDT)

== Einstein Bot not "Q" ==
Nelson confirmed that the "Q" thing was not true information and commented that he didn't know where the confirmation came from. It should probably be taken down, as "Q" seems to merely be a hint as to who it is, but not a potential name. Link is [http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7595-Ok-has-the-bot-list-got-crazy-or-what!/page3 here]. --[[User:Faded-Myth|Faded-Myth]] 21:01, 2 August 2010 (EDT)
:Thanks. I am vindicated of my belief of that NIBMRatchet guy's overeager incompetence. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 23:18, 2 August 2010 (EDT)
http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/more-transformers-3-spoilers-and-rumors-from-detroit-170570/ Though I read this article, I can't say that Wheeljack's name should be added onto cast list of the film. Word from extra casted people from Detroit filming can't be fully trusted. Even extra casted actors can have misinformation. --[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 18:34, 14 September 2010 (EDT)
:We're not until Nelson, Bay himself, Spielberg himself, or Murphy says otherwise. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 14:39, 14 September 2010 (EDT)
::To CAJH - What part of "We do not care about set leaks. Do not tell us who you saw on the set. Unless you can source it in an official press release or reputable news source, we do not care. Please stop telling us who you saw in set photography." do you not understand? NONE of the various things you have brought here have been official information. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 18:51, 14 September 2010 (EDT)
:::I told you all that information from the previous link can't be fully trusted. Are you saying that because of that, I still shouldn't have even add it here? --[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 8:38, 15 September 2010 (EDT)
:::And besides, this discussion page is to talk about the movie, not for collecting official information. So, there's no reason I would have done anything wrong. --[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 8:41, 15 September 2010 (EDT)
::::Wrong. This is not a chat room or a message board. These talk pages are for discussions relevant to the Wiki and its articles. Just discussing movie speculation is not for here. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 02:13, 15 September 2010 (EDT)
:::Wait a second, you think that even Nelson's words about Jolt's not returning to film and Wheelie's return can't be trusted? "NONE of the various things you have brought here have been official information." I know this page must have an official information revealed. An information that is revealed by any member of the filming crew or producers of the movie. You have no proofs that webmaster's words contain nothing but rumors. That extra casting member who told about Wheeljack or Shockwave can't be fully trusted, but anything else I've added here is not misinformation. Well, anything I've added after I read the rules of these pages.--[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 9:07, 15 September 2010 (EDT)
::::All we're saying is that you didn't need to bring it up because we know not to add Wheeljack's name unless otherwise. As for webmasters, both Nelson and Don work WITH Michael directly, so we trust them a lot more than set reports from extras or people working on the set. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 02:31, 15 September 2010 (EDT)
:::::I wasn't saying it should be added here. But if you say that only links with information that will be necessary are permitted here, then I'll obey.--[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 10:05, 15 September 2010 (EDT)
:::::Hey hey, I forgot one thing. That Mercedes car hasn't evem been seen in Detroit. So how could anyone know that the Wheeljack really meant that Mercedes? By no means. I can't believe I didn't write it earlier. --[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 14:49, 15 September 2010 (EDT)

==Wheelie==
Wheelie returns. Confirmed by Nelson. http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/wheelies-back-in-transformers-3-170366/
The sam elink confirms also that the Jeep seen in Chicago is not in movie as we thought. --[[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 8:42, 6 August 2010 (EDT)
:Who is "nelson"? - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 09:32, 15 September 2010 (EDT)
::The answer is [[Talk:The Dark of the Moon (film)#Nelson_-_Michael_Bay.27s_webmaster|on this very page]]. But if you don't want to click, Nelson is Michael Bay's webmaster, and here his information is considered an official source. --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 09:40, 15 September 2010 (EDT)

==Inferno as new Autobot ?==
yes as new Autobot ::[http://skitch.com/wedenesday/djnmu/tf3-poster-shot-a I can do that.]
:I followed the link and saw this: "This object is not available! Perhaps you should contact wedenesday for more information?". Sorry, ace, but no dice. Everybody with me: "Wait for ''official'' (please denote the "'''official'''" part) news releases about the movie." In other words, if Michael Bay's website or the Associated Press didn't say it, it doesn't go here. - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 22:20, 7 August 2010 (EDT)
::If you mean that firetruck Autobot, you better know this. Nelson told that it's not Inferno. You wanna watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWCkIggT8yk Don't take it as official information, but this will sound very crazy. - [[User:CAJH|CAJH]] 13:52, 29 August 2010 (EDT)

==MEGATRON==
Megatron is coming back for Transformers 3 so why does his name keep getting removed from the cast his face has being seen pinned up in Chicago. Check out the Link. http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/megatron-returns-for-transformers-3-170294/ --{{unsigned|Plo Koon 1}} 14:58, 25 August 2010

:READ THE NOTICE AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE. We do not accept ANY info that was not released by Bay, his webmaster, Hasbro, or Paramount. We take officially released info only and these pictures ARE NOT. --[[User:ZacWilliam|ZacWilliam]] 15:02, 25 August 2010 (EDT)
::And there's always the chance of them changing things mid-shooting. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 15:15, 25 August 2010 (EDT)
:::Plus, may I add that it could be a stand-in for a new baddie? It's cheaper to use a leftover prop than make a new cardboard face. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the guy who slapped that face on the pole didn't even know who it was. It's ''likely'' Megs will be back, but wait for '''''official''''' news. - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 16:49, 25 August 2010 (EDT)
::::It is now official. Check out this link. Also, the original wikipedia.org states that he will be in it, and since we are a wiki site, shouldn't we have that info too?[[Special:Contributions/166.109.0.45|166.109.0.45]] 11:38, 21 December 2010 (EST)
::::: NO IT IS NOT. NOT A HARD CONCEPT. If it's not from BAY or His Webmaster or Paramount itself released for the public then it's NOT OFFICIAL. Also, no we are not associated with wikipedia and could care less what they put on their site. Sigh. --[[Special:Contributions/76.28.76.206|76.28.76.206]] 11:46, 21 December 2010 (EST)
::::::I understand that it must be official, and it cannot be some random blogger. However, if I may say tfw2005.com is a website trusted by hasbro. But why shouldn't we have it if wikipedia.org has it. Shouldn't we have more information then them about Tranformers. And i would say since wikipedia.org is much stricter, I would guess they have a good reason for putting it there, if you don't mind explaining that. And i'd hate to be rude, but why can't we have information from the set on our site? If the information is out, why can't we have it? Also, other websites state that people like Soundwave and Starscream will also be in the film, so why are we the only site that just says Shockwave is in it so far. I am not trying to be rude here.[[Special:Contributions/166.109.0.45|166.109.0.45]] 12:03, 22 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::You need to understand that the photos that have allowed TFW2005 to make this news post are of a stolen toy. We do not add anything to the wiki based on "leaked, stolen or snuck" material. ''We'' actually respect Hasbro's wishes when it comes to the flow of information, which other sites do not. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 12:21, 22 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::Well on various video featurettes, Hasbro does say that they respect these sites and listen to them. They also respected hasbro after they said to remove the photos and they are not posting them up again until Hasbro says they can. I can understand the different policies, so to respond to that comment, I think we can conclude that Tfw2005.com and this site both respect hasbro, just in different ways. I am confused that wikipedia.org itself does not respect Hasbro, and states that Megatron is in the film, and uses seibertron.com as a reference. Could I get an explanation please?[[Special:Contributions/166.109.0.45|166.109.0.45]] 13:52, 22 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::::You would have to ask wikipedia.org. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 14:32, 22 December 2010 (EST)
::::::Look, what we're after here is not to get the information in as fast as possible. What we want is ''accurate'', official information that has been released by Hasbro. Is that how Megatron's toy will look? Probably. Is he going to be in the movie? I'd be surprised if he wasn't. Things are subject to change, and we want the information to be accurate and precise. An encyclopedia that is inaccurate is useless, and we want to be accurate. So just be patient. It will be put in eventually. -- [[User:SFH|SFH]] 14:56, 22 December 2010 (EST)

== Decepticons ==

Since when were Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave confirmed? I've seen them being added a ton of times but I can't find any official source that confirms it. Should those edits be undone or did I just miss something big? --[[User:Kirby|Kirby]] 11:43, 3 September 2010 (EDT)
:Those names were added by a relatively inexperienced editor, I have removed them. Unless he/she can show reliable sources for their being in the movie (not just "but OF COURSE they'll be back... It's Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave!") they should not be listed. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 12:03, 3 September 2010 (EDT)
:Yeah, I thought so. I just thought that putting it on the talk page would be better than going right up and reverting it. I've noticed that a lot of my edits are just removing stuff --[[User:Kirby|Kirby]] 12:06, 3 September 2010 (EDT)
:I don't think that Hasbro can not put Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave in the new movie, the popularity of the transformers would drop.
::You wouldn't think that Hasbro would kill off most of the memorable G1 cast either, but they did that too. What I'm getting at is that stranger things have happened. -- [[User:Semysane|Semysane]] 04:04, 10 November 2010 (EST)

== TITLE ==

[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-3-title-revealed-the-dark-of-the-moon/19947/ Looks like we've got a title.]

--[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 09:35, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
:Can I just go on record that that is a crappy name? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 09:42, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
::I agree with you, but it comes with many joke opportunities.
::I just.....haven't figured out what they are yet. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 09:53, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
:::All I can think of is the Alabama song "Fire In The Night". --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 09:57, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
::::The ''Dark'' of the moon? Does that mean the movie is going to be just another one of those crappy conspiracy theories saying the US didn't get to the moon first? Does this mean this is hardly going to be a movie about Transformers? This seems pretty likely. Also, that name is just borderline teen novel. Hopefully they'll change everything at the last minute into something relatively better like they did before. --[[User:LokitheGrammarNazi|LokitheGrammarNazi]] 09:59, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
:::::Here are some jokes we could use.
:::::"Dark Side of the Moon was taken."
:::::"Is it a Twilight crossover?"
:::::(Thank you Seibertron forum posters!) --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 10:01, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
::::::I hadn't even thought about Twilight until Loki said teen novel. Now, I can't get the word "Vampformers" out of my head. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 10:08, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
:::::::Does this mean the main pic has to be that shot of John Turturro's as from ROTF?[[User:Riddlerj|Riddlerj]] 10:22, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
::::::::No and shame on you for even thinking it. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 10:27, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
:::::::::One thing I really like from the first 3 movies (86,07,09) wiki articles are the running joke used throughout. Star Wars, the 86 movie, and Empire Strikes Back. I would have thought we would use nothing but Return of the Jedi quotes here, but with this new title part of me thinks it would be great to use nothing but lyrics off the Dark Side of the Moon album. --[[User:Bluestreak7|Bluestreak7]] 12:36, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
::::::::::We picked Star Wars and Empire for their respective films because the TF creative teams in those years specifically compared their products to those films--it was us making a joke out of their marketing idea. Though having captions about ROTJ would obviously "complete the set," I'm kind of against us making jokes out of ''our own traditions'' instead of the traditions of the franchise creators. It would seem like we're just jerking off. So I'd actually prefer Pink Floyd too. Of course, given that there's still a year for someone at Paramount to make a comparison between the respective 3rd films, the point may be moot. --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] 14:02, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
:::::::::::Actually, using Pink Floyd quotes here would preserve and extend the pattern we have going. 1st Movie/Star Wars Universe quotes, 2nd Movie/Non-SW quotes, 3rd Movie/SW Universe quotes, 4th Movie/Non-SW quotes. Remember that 1st - 4th is in real world terms, ignoring the fact that the 1st movie was not part of the same universe as the current trilogy. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 14:10, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
::::::::::::Agreed. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 14:29, 6 October 2010 (EDT)

Should we also put in a note that "dark of the moon" is real phrase and not completely made up? --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 15:35, 6 October 2010 (EDT)

Ahem. IT WAS THE DARK OF THE MOON ON THE SIXTH OF JUNE WITH A KENWORTH HAULIN' LOGS/ CABOVER PETE WITH A REEFER ON AND A JIMMY HAULIN HOGS/ WE WAS HEADED FOR BEAR ON I-1-OH ABOUT A MILE OUTTA SHAKEY TOWN/ I SAID "PIG PEN THIS HERE'S THE RUBBER DUCK, WE'RE ABOUT TO PUT THE HAMMER DOWN." -hx at work, this is all the caption you need.
:ARGH! I can't believe I forgot that! I can just see the "bout to put the hammer down" part as an Optimus Prime caption ("Convoy", don't you know. :)). --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 17:49, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
::I agree with this comment. Also, now we have a title, is it time to add it to the left-hand navigation menu? --[[User:Abates|abates]] 19:16, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
:::Save it for the Japanese release info. "Ironically enough, not a great big Convoy rockin' through the night." [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] 19:30, 7 October 2010 (EDT)
I don't see any Amazon listings anymore, but the [http://www.transformersmovie.com Transformers movie website] is called "Transformers: Dark of the Moon". (Don't look at the logo, look at the title of the website in the web browser.) Should we lose the "the"? - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 16:43, 29 October 2010 (EDT)
:At the same time, the domain they registered is "transformersthedarkofthemoonmovie.com", which has the leading "The" in it. --[[User:Abates|abates]] 17:00, 29 October 2010 (EDT)
::"transformersdarkofthemoonmovie.com" is also registered by the same party. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 17:03, 29 October 2010 (EDT)
:::Why would they register it with the "The" if "The" isn't in the title? Whereas I can see why they'd also register it without, because people might accidentally leave it out when typing the url (and also for brand protection). --[[User:Abates|abates]] 17:57, 29 October 2010 (EDT)
::::Similar reasons apply for registering the name with a superfluous "the". "The dark of the moon" is a preexisting term, people might easily insert it by mistake. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 20:08, 29 October 2010 (EDT)
:::::IDK, the title of a web page just doesn't seem like enough to me to move the page. The titles on Amazon all had "The" in them, which might have been added mistakenly by whoever added them there, or might not have been. I suspect we should wait for some sort of official unveiling, because if we move the page now, we may well just be moving it back later. --[[User:Abates|abates]] 22:13, 29 October 2010 (EDT)

== Uh, Walky.... ==

How does "www.transformersdarksideofthemoon.com." confirm that "The Dark of the Moon" is the title? Or did you put in the "side" in that URL by mistake? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 12:56, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
: Yeah. Mistake. Durrr. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 13:02, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
:: Fixed. I expect this slip-up to happen only 30,000 more times. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 13:03, 6 October 2010 (EDT)
:::Yeah, mainly I was asking on the off chance that the other things we've found had accidentally left out the "side". --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 13:07, 6 October 2010 (EDT)

== Accident ==

Does last month's stunt accident where an extra got critically injured belong on this page, and if yes, where?--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 14:22, 7 October 2010 (EDT)
:I thought the top of this page said that the wiki does not care about news on the set. --[[User:LokitheGrammarNazi|LokitheGrammarNazi]] 14:46, 7 October 2010 (EDT)
::This is '''obviously''' not the kind of news the top of the page is talking about. Yes, the accident and lawsuit should be addressed on the page for the movie. Where, I dunno. Probably its own section. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 14:58, 7 October 2010 (EDT)
:::Maybe "Production", if it ever gets made. [[User:Interrobang|—Interrobang]] 16:30, 7 October 2010 (EDT)

== Disambig? ==

What are we going to use as the disambiguation suffix for this movie? I used (TDOTM) for the [[Carly (TDOTM)|Carly]] artilce I created, but I could see just (DOTM) instead, or perhaps something from out of left field -- [[User:G1MarvelBlaster|G1MarvelBlaster]] 23:04, 7 October 2010 (EDT)
:(TDOTM) would be the most consistent. But (TF3) would be cool. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 23:22, 7 October 2010 (EDT)
::The only other franchise I can find with an initial "the" is [[The Headmasters]], which has the disambiguation suffix (Headmasters). Going by that, I would say (DOTM). --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 09:20, 8 October 2010 (EDT)
:::Considering Hasbro applied for the trademark "Dark of the Moon" without "the", I'm favoring (DOTM) too.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 08:05, 13 October 2010 (EDT)
::::(TDOTM) is a horrible disambig. I prefer (DOTM). --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 08:11, 13 October 2010 (EDT)

== The Superfund Armored Truck as Sixshot and Rosenbaurer as Inferno ==

November-21=Michael Bay confirms the Superfund Armored Truck as Sixshot.
:Hi. Cite a source. Sign your posts. Thank you. Goodbye. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 08:22, 21 November 2010 (EST)

== Should we add Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin? ==

Well, should we?

-ThiAthEhn
: And [[Walter Cronkite]]. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 11:56, 10 December 2010 (EST)

::Well, the question is, will they actually be ''in'' the film? This teaser feels very much like the teaser for the first movie, in that we may see only a little, or possibly even none, of the actual content of it in the film. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 11:57, 10 December 2010 (EST)

:::And we don't know if (though unlikely) they are main cast. And save their page for another day. --'''[[User:TX55|TX55]]'''''[[User talk:TX55|TALK]]'' 12:00, 10 December 2010 (EST)
::::I dunno, I think all promotional stuff still counts as "fiction" under our mandate. While they shouldn't be on the main cast list, I wouldn't be opposed to making articles on them and making some mention of them on the article. [[User:Interrobang|—Interrobang]] 14:16, 10 December 2010 (EST)
:::::And in any case, we already have a [[Neil Armstrong]] page, per [[Ghosts of Yesterday]]. So I'll ask my question here: how much do we want to put into that article? -- [[User:SFH|SFH]] 14:42, 10 December 2010 (EST)
::::::I'm tired of seeing useless perpetually incomplete pages for trivial as fuck foil characters that usually were only ''mentioned'' in the movie or even movie novelization in question and have no real story signifigance at all. I respectfully say nay to more character pages like this and I would recommend deleting such pages that are already created, such as the Mohammud page. --[[User:LokitheGrammarNazi|LokitheGrammarNazi]] 11:14, 14 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::Then that's really too friggin' bad, because ''that's what this wiki is for.'' --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 11:28, 14 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::::You really want your wiki to go to hell, to run rampant with the constant mindless page creations of anonymous IP adresses? You made one of the qualifications to delete a page "We are not a dictonary," but now you want to contradict yourself. --[[User:LokitheGrammarNazi|LokitheGrammarNazi]] 11:32, 14 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::Uh, we've been making pages like this since the very beginning of the wiki back in 2006. At no point has this site ever succumbed to your insane scenario. So pardon me if my eyes roll so hard they pop out of my skull. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 11:36, 14 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::::::What you said officially makes it okay to make pages like the pages made by anons from the start, so now you have put yourself in the situation where now a whole lot of anons who look around without editing will get that idea and tell all their friends about it and soon you have too many pages for Detour to put the speedy template on. Sure, in the past this has never happened, but now there is the possibility. --[[User:LokitheGrammarNazi|LokitheGrammarNazi]] 11:39, 14 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::::Now that we're going to continue doing the exact same thing we've been doing for the past four years, suddenly it's all going to be different now and ruin us. Got it. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 11:41, 14 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::::::::It's not that you've been doing the same thing all along, it's now you've said that doing what has been described now is alright and acceptable, and you seem to be ignoring/avoiding that. Besides, of course the consequences are not going to affect you immediately, so you shouldn't just assume that if the ramifications aren't immediate then there aren't any at all. Your 16-year-old level of sarcasm and quickness to attempt to avoid a situation is what makes people not like you. --[[User:LokitheGrammarNazi|LokitheGrammarNazi]] 11:47, 14 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::::::I'm not ignoring anything, because I shouldn't have to distinguish for you the differences between making a page for a guy featured heavily in a trailer for a blockbuster Transformers film and between making a page for "floor." The difference seems to be obvious to everyone else. Do you have any other recourse to people disagreeing with you that isn't calling them an X-year-old? --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 11:58, 14 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::::::::::The reason I used the X-year-old argument is because that is what I usually only see here that warrants a recourse from me, what with the "Um, yes it does" and "pardon me if my eyes roll so hard they pop out of my skull" statements. I understand now that you have from the start always had a staff that can make the distinction between what is too little information and what isn't and make decisions based on that. I don't think that most people know what "too little information" is (including myself), so maybe that could be something you could put into the FAQ of the wiki for anons that want to be good editors but aren't and so people like me don't go anally retentive apeshit and get in heated arguments with the wiki's administrator. --[[User:LokitheGrammarNazi|LokitheGrammarNazi]] 12:10, 14 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::::::::When the sole basis of your argument is "tons of anons will make bad pages", it's kind of hard to do anything but roll one's eyes at it. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 12:14, 14 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::::::Anons will make useless pages regardless of policies. I truly doubt making a page about Buzz Aldrin is suddenly going to open the floodgates for pages about grass, the birds, the bees, the peanut butter jelly time banana and Zartan's male pattern baldness. Your apocalypse scenario is ridiculous to say the least. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 12:01, 14 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::They exist in the Transformers universe. Why shouldn't we have pages for them? --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 11:17, 14 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::Saying something like, "What would Jesus do?" is not making them in-universe. Besides, the pages always stay shitty and are just bytes of worthless space-taking crap. What if the wiki made a whole page for every single obscure character that happened to be seen in a passing glance of the camera? The whole wiki would be have millions of pages of crap that nobody cares about. Besides, if somebody wanted to read about Buzz aldrin, they could just go to wikipedia. --[[User:LokitheGrammarNazi|LokitheGrammarNazi]] 11:21, 14 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::::Um, yes it does. If someone mentions Jesus in Transformers, that means that Jesus is in the Transformers universe? That'd be like if there was a standalone story where someone mentions how Bumblebee is a great scout, but Bumblebee doesn't appear otherwise. Does that mean Bumblebee doesn't exist? And there's a difference between making an article for someone who has no name, personality, or role, and making an article for someone who has a name and has a role hinted at. (We wouldn't make an article for a generic with no dialogue who's just there in the background, but we WOULD make an article for Bumblebee since he was named and we know that he's a scout.) And what if someone was curious about what Buzz Aldrin did in the Transformers world? Wikipedia wouldn't have that. --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 11:24, 14 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::You know very fucking well what I am talking about, don't act like a ten-year-old. I do not mean that important characters fiction wise (as in appearing in more than one piece of fiction in one universe) shouldn't have pages, they do have pages that account what they are important in. I mean not have pages about characters like the [[Muhammad]] or [[Jesus]] page that have no significance whatsoever in any piece of fiction. If they were more important in another piece of fiction, then they could have pages. What I want is quality control that isn't headed by ten-year-olds or anal people. --[[User:LokitheGrammarNazi|LokitheGrammarNazi]] 11:29, 14 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::::::But they do have significance. A character mentions them and gives some details. Small significance, but they exist. When I said "standalone", I was referring to a whole new universe, where we don't know if Bumblebee exists or not. Then, someone confirms he exists, so we make a page for him. How am I acting like a ten-year-old?
:::::::::::(I WILL admit there's a line. Remember "History vid Megatron", anyone?) --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 11:34, 14 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::::I think someone needs a timeout. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 12:02, 14 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::::I remember "history vid Megatron"! According to a history video in Animated, he was a Decepticon during Animated's Great War. He looked like he commanded at least a platoon or something. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 12:19, 14 December 2010 (EST)

== Astronomical/Apollo Errors in Trailer ==

The trailer seems to suggest that, after it landed, Apollo 11 passed around to the dark side of the moon, or out of radio range, or something. This is, of course, nonsense, since the moon doesn't rotate with respect to Earth. If the trailer counts as canon, do we want to start an errors section for this? [[User:JW|JW]] 14:59, 13 December 2010 (EST)
:I think it is canon. That was strange. That looked like a real clip from Walter Cronkite, but maybe it was spliced together from different reports. Or maybe it was actually from before the landing when they were still in orbit. They sort of undercut the impact of the radio silence bit when mission control was still able to communicate with them. Maybe it was Sector 7 technology? - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 15:19, 13 December 2010 (EST)
:: My reading of the trailer was that the astronauts WALKED to the far side of the moon once the feed was cut, explored, and then returned all within 21 minutes. Which is just as ridiculous. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 15:24, 13 December 2010 (EST)
:::You could be right. I was thrown off by one image where they were right next to the lander when they were "dark on the rock". That was probably out of sequence. Then again, being a movie trailer, the whole thing may be various images and dialog thrown together without regard to sequence. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 15:34, 13 December 2010 (EST)
::::But ''did'' they go to the dark side? I took "dark on the rock" to mean that communications were nil, that they were "in the dark", as it were. A figurative phrase, not literal. After all - you can SEE the Earth in the sky behind the spaceship! That couldn't be the dark side! - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 16:02, 13 December 2010 (EST)
:::::Cronkite says "We now have had confirmation of loss of signal from Apollo 11. Apollo 11 is on the far side of the moon". - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 16:07, 13 December 2010 (EST)
::::::"Apollo 11" is the name of the mission, which involved the Columbia rocketship and the Lunar module that landed. The Columbia was in lunar orbit while Buzz and Neil were on the surface of the planet. The Columbia part of Apollo 11 definitely could have been on the far side of the moon, unless it, was, like, circling the exact circumference of the moon that we can see from Earth. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 16:13, 13 December 2010 (EST)
:::::Mind, the actual "dark side of the moon" where the Autobot spaceship had crashed sure had a lot of friggin' light about and plenty of crisp shadows. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 16:09, 13 December 2010 (EST)
::::::I tried to find out if the lander bounced signals off the ''Columbia'' but my Google skills failed me. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 16:18, 13 December 2010 (EST)
::::::I'm pretty sure the whole "Dark of the Moon", "dark on the rock" thing is figurative, to both describe the mystery on the Moon and NASA's real reason for traveling there, rather than literally "the ''Ark'' crashed on the dark side of the moon, and the dark side of the moon is a short walk from Tranquility Base." [http://science.howstuffworks.com/lunar-landing2.htm This article] suggests that ''Columbia'' served as the communications link between ''Eagle'' and Earth. Wish I could find a better article or source, but my google-fu is not great. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 06:50, 22 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::Even taking that as figurative, the trailer shows the Earth close to the horizon, when it should be nearly directly overhead. It also appears to move between shots only a short time apart. [[User:JW|JW]] 06:55, 22 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::Yea, it doesn't look like an actual error, except the movie makers wanted the Earth in every shot (I don't blame them). But the trailer doesn't make it clear that the ''Columbia'' is a communications link or anything like that so it is confusing. If it wasn't on the far side of the Moon, I don't see how they could have kept it secret. Anyone with a big enough telescope would be able to see it, I would think. At least observatories. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 11:19, 22 December 2010 (EST)

== MEGATRON IN DARK OF THE MOON ==
I have been looking around the internet about Transformers 3, and everywhere says that Megatron is returning for Transformers 3 as a Mack Titan Tanker Truck, I know that Michael Bay hasen't released any news yet on any Decepticons apart from Shockwave, but if Hasbro didn't release the pictures of the Megatron tanker truck toy, how the hell did they get on the internet, even Leader Class Ironhide pictures are around. Does anyone think that megatron should be added to the Decepticons?
Thanks Plo Koon 1
:It's most likely a stolen prototype from a factory, and NO, Megatron '''will not be added until Hasbro or Michael Bay or some other official source says he's in'''. --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 12:42, 27 December 2010 (EST)
:Kindly go away and never return. This is all you do, come here once a movie is in production and either add stolen info, or rant on talk pages about how we should add stolen info, and frankly I am sick of it. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 15:13, 27 December 2010 (EST)

Why don't you go look up some more information and get adding to the page instead of waiting for Michael Bay's and Hasbro's precious information.