Starscream (Movie)
| The name or term "Starscream" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Starscream (disambiguation). |
- Starscream is a Decepticon from the Movie continuity family.
Starscream is all ego, vanity, and self-interest. He will do anything to hang on to power or attain more. Though powerful, he is at heart a schemer, contemptuous of Megatron's reliance on brute force. Starscream believes that lies, manipulation, and deceit are a superior path to power. Some might agree with him, but he's yet to meet any.
Fiction
Ghosts of Yesterday prequel novel
Starscream has ascended to Decepticon leadership in the absence of their former lord, and though he must "seem" to carry on the long search for the lost Megatron and the All Spark to keep his position as leader, his greatest hope is that Megatron NEVER be found. Some loyal Decepticons, especially Blackout, strongly suspect this and seek to frustrate Starscream's self-serving plans. Barricade buddies up with him, but he does like to trick people. Bonecrusher hates him, but one shouldn't really read too much into that. Frenzy and Scorponok's opinions are unknown, but nobody cares what the pets think.
During a search of an abandoned solar system, the Nemesis comes across a vessel that bears a resemblance to Megatron's alternate mode. Starscream goes to investigate it, intending to destroy it. After chasing off Bumblebee, he communicates with the creatures aboard the vessel, who called themselves humans. Starscream claims that his people once lived with the Autobots, and that their treacherous leader, Optimus Prime, started a war for the All Spark. The humans tell him of a robotic creature that their kind have found back on their world, and Starscream, recognizing it as Megatron, tells them it was an Autobot scout. While communicating with them, he downloads all the information on their computers, learning that the All Spark is also located on Earth. He offers to help the humans to return to their world if they help Starscream's group attack the Autobots, hoping that Prime will destroy them and be guilt-stricken in the process. The humans attack Optimus and Bumblebee, but the two Autobots escape. After their ship sinks into a cavern, Starscream reveals his true nature and abandons them. As a result, the humans conclude neither faction can be fully trusted. Way to make first contact there, Screamer.
Returning to the battle, he lies to his fellow Decepticons, claiming that the two Autobots are dead and that he was unable to communicate with the humans. Blackout, unconvinced with the story, challenges Starscream to single combat. Starscream wins, and the Decepticons launched an attack on the Ark. Unfortunately for Starscream, Optimus, Bumblebee and the human vessel show up. Starscream, fearful of the information that the ship contains, orders the Decepticons to destroy it. Unfortunately, Starscream experiences a minor mutiny when Bonecrusher and Blackout demand answers, and even Barricade wants to know why. As the battle draws to a close, Starscream is in a position to terminate Prime but comes under fire from the humans' weapons. Seriously damaged, Starscream finishes them off with a single plasma blast, then orders the Decepticons to retreat, despite the advantage they have over the Autobots. The Autobots figure that Starscream will not risk traveling to Earth for fear of losing power, but Prime figures that it is only a matter of time before the desire for vengeance and the lure of the All Spark brings the Decepticons to that world. Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday
Sector Seven Alternate Reality Game
Disguised as a F-15 Eagle fighter jet, Starscream was active on Earth in early 1982, with documented sightings of jets sporting his unique colors on several continents before he was caught on camera transforming to robot mode in California. This sighting (and its subsequent leak) was the direct impetus for Hungry Dragon 1.
This seemingly contradicts Starscream's 2003 arrival on Earth in the 'Prime Directives' prequel comic, though it's possible Starscream simply concealed an earlier visit to Earth because he had no desire for the Decepticons to find Megatron.
During late April/early May of 2007, Sector Seven intercepted two sound clips through Agent Cod3x and another source (currently unknown). Apparently, Starscream wanted to make his presence known and left a message announcing that he would have the All Spark, and that Agent Powers would be the one to hand it over. These messages were somewhat garbled, as they were apparently received over a SETI@home system. So far, only these two "blips" have been analyzed (the second still needing work), but more may come in the near future. Sector Seven (game)
Prime Directives prequel comic
In 2003, Starscream's infiltration team, consisting of Barricade and Blackout, touches down on Mars and destroys the Beagle 2 Rover. Starscream is disgusted with the rover, but Blackout and Barricade warn that there is an obviously intelligent species nearby and they will need to be cautious. Starscream agrees, as long as they get to kill something. Prime Directives, Part 3
Splitting up, they head to Earth, where Starscream scans an F-22 Raptor fighter jet being tested by the US Air Force at Nellis Air Force base. He destroys it, then adopts the vehicle form for himself. Leaving the scene of destruction, he radios his fellow Decepticons to report in on their hunt for new disguise forms, which they do. He reiterates that their mission is to find the All Spark, to which Blackout responds with a reminder that the mission is also to find Megatron. Starscream dismissively replies, "Yeah, right...him too."
Later, Starscream and Blackout detect the unique radiation of the All Spark and investigate, but Starscream soon realizes it is a trap by Sector Seven. Starscream destroys several AH-64 Apache helicopters while Blackout attacks Sector Seven's bunker and attempts to hack into their mainframe. When the humans sever the connection, the Decepticons break off from the battle and link up with Barricade, who is in pursuit of the Autobot Bumblebee. Prime Directives, Part 4
Transformers (2007 film)
- Voice actor: Charlie Adler (English), José Sant'anna (Brazil)
Starscream is lying in wait at a US air base when covert agent Frenzy reports that the All Spark has been located, along with Megatron, underneath Hoover Dam. Though he has long feared this day would come, Starscream orders the rest of the Decepticons to move out. The others respond, with Blackout rallying in the name of Megatron.
The first to arrive, Starscream attacks the hydro-electricity power plant attached to the dam to cause havoc to Sector Seven's operations and to speed the thawing of Megatron. With Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron quickly breaks free of his icy restraints and escapes the facility. He meets almost immediately with the waiting Starscream, who repledges his loyalty to Megatron. Demanding to know what happened to the All Spark, Megatron is told by his second-in-command that it is now in the possession of the humans. Furious, Megatron berates his lieutenant for yet another failure. What a warm reunion.
During the assault on a nearby city, Starscream fools Captain Lennox's unit by posing as an F-22 Raptor providing cover. Starscream launches an attack that cripples Bumblebee as Ironhide realizes too late who the fighter really is. As ladiesman217 runs with the All Spark, Starscream swoops down, blocking his path, only to be attacked by both Ironhide and Ratchet. Besting them, Starscream takes to the skies again instead of securing the All Spark from the now defenseless ladiesman217.
While Megatron attempts to retrieve the All Spark from Ladiesman217, Starscream perches on nearby buildings and shoots down an Army Blackhawk helicopter when it attempts to help the human evacuate the Cube. Eventually, real F-22 Raptors from the US Air Force arrive, and Starscream disguises himself. Pretending to be a part of their squadron, Starscream surprises the human pilots by transforming in mid-air and destroying three of the Raptors before he is fired upon. He transforms back to his disguise and flees, and is not seen in the closing moments of the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron.
Most of the Decepticons are defeated and their bodies cast into the deepest part of the ocean. Ultimately, Starscream retreats from Earth to parts—and with intentions—unknown. Transformers (2007)
Titan Magazines
Issue 7, taking place "moments" after the Mission City battle, will feature a story called "Starscream's Militia". Known details are that Starscream will make "decidedly unconventional use" of Decepticon corpses.
Transformers: The Game
Autobot campaign
Starscream, Blackout, and a pair of Dreadwing drones all take on Jazz during the battle of Mission City. He beats all four of them.
Decepticon campaign
Starscream coordinates the missions for Blackout and Barricade while hiding in a military base. After receiving information from Barricade that Megatron has been located, Starscream orders him to proceed to Hoover Dam, while he himself goes to locate Bonecrusher and Brawl. However, the humans are aware of the three Decepticons and use drones, weapon platforms, and fighters based on Cybertronian design. Starscream is forced to move back and forth between Bonecrusher and Brawl, rescuing them from human attackers, all to background music far too heroic for someone of Screamer's character. After taking a moment to enjoy the ruin he has made of the base, Starscream proceeds to Hoover Dam. Blackout informs him that the structure is blocking their scans, so Starscream orders him to tear it down piece by piece to find Megatron and the All Spark. When Megatron emerges, Starscream bows before his Lord.
At Mission City, Starscream takes a moment to ram Optimus Prime during the latter's duel with Megatron, but beyond that, he takes no part in the battle. After Megatron absorbs the All Spark and Earth is decimated, Starscream stands at his master's left side as the Decepticon leader declares their business on Earth is concluded.
Transformers (DS)
Transformers: Autobots (DS)
- voice actor: Daniel Ross
While on a mission in the Arctic to find and destroy Megatron and recover the All Spark, Create-A-Bot (Autobot) and Ironhide run into the air commander during their escape. Making Create-A-Bot run for cover, Ironhide takes on Starscream and his lackeys (despite mentioning he's "getting too old for this"). As with the movie, once defeated, Starscream takes off into the atmosphere, never to be seen again (until the sequel).
It is interesting to note that Starscream is the only Decepticon in this version of the game who is not definitively destroyed. (Bonecrusher isn't included, since Prime cuts off his head on his way in.)
Transformers: Decepticons (DS)
- voice actor: Daniel Ross
After the disappearance of Megatron nearly a million years ago (yeah, we know), Starscream has taken over the Decepticons as their high commander. Arriving on Earth, he instructs Create-A-Bot to follow Barricade until he arrives. However, none of the other Decepticons will trust him, and he confides in Create-A-Bot a great number of secrets, including the location of the All Spark and the identity of the lost Decepticon they are retrieving: Megatron. Starscream reasons that he hid these things because revealing them would lead to a power struggle, but no one buys it except the naive rookie.
Soon, though, the other Decepticons reveal the reason for their lack of faith (which Create-A-Bot finds disturbing): Starscream is a treacherous, black-hearted backstabber. Of course, Megaton isn't much better, since he's a treacherous, black-hearted face-stabber, but at least he lets you know where you stand with him. Once the Autobots return the All Spark to Tranquility, he gives chase after a now-All-Spark-empowered Bumblebee (in the single most frustrating level of the game) until Barricade gets in the way.
After threat of execution for treason, Starscream proceeds to show the smaller Decepticon WHY Megatron picked him as his second-in-command: his brute strength and incredible battle strategy. After a severe thrashing, Create-A-Bot arrives with intent to kill. However, Starscream now has the All Spark and is nearly unstoppable. They proceed to battle over the Casino Strip, where Create-A-Bot takes the All Spark from him and smashes it into his chest. Create-A-Bot is knocked back and severely damaged by the blast, but Starscream remains as powerful as ever, perhaps more so now that the All Spark has merged with his body. However, as is quickly proven, Starscreams who receive ungodly power tend to explode, as Megatron finds him and proceeds to chase and tear him apart. In his last breath, Starscream spits on Megatron's name, saying there will always be those who will question his power. Megatron simply replies by smashing his face in.
Toys
Transformers (2007)
- Protoform Starscream (Deluxe, 2007)
- Japanese ID number: MD-05
- Based upon the 'Protoform' (Cybertronian) appearances of the Transformers in the Movie, Protoform Starscream transforms into his "Entry" mode Cybertronic rocket thing. This mode somewhat resembles a Cybertronic spaceship, with a visible bridge between the two dorsal fins. A flame decoration piece fits to the back of the 'vehicle' over the missile projectile, creating the illusion of a flaming comet's tail. The bottom of the vehicle has small wheels to roll the toy across smooth surfaces.
- In robot mode, Starscream marginally resembles previous Starscreams, mostly G1 Starscream, with the large turbines on his chest, wings and vents on his legs. Due to his extensive use of ball joints, he has excellent articulation. Starscream is armed with a spring-loaded missile launcher that fires the previously mentioned projectile cast in the same bronze color as his body. Alternatively, the flame decoration can be fitted onto the end of the barrel.
- This toy also has an Automorphing feature, as most of the figures in the main line do. Pushing his head back during transformation will move his shoulder pieces move back into place, while moving the shoulders forward will make the head pop back up. While either the missile or the flame can be placed into the gun, the flame can be placed onto the missile, using both at once.
- It's also entirely possible that this figure will eventually suffer from GPS, as the bronze plastic it is cast in has the same characteristic swirling exhibited by older figures that rapidly deteriorated. However, newer materials and processes may prevent the toy from ever seeing a single crack form. It is highly suggested that this toy not be painted or altered in any way to maximize its lifespan. This means YOU, kitbashers.
- This mold was also redecoed into a Japanese-exclusive "Fusion Cluster" version, using orange paint and translucent plastic to mimic the effects of atmospheric entry.
- Starscream (Voyager, 2007)
- Japanese ID number: MD-08
- The Voyager-class version of Movie Starscream transforms into a very inaccurate though officially-licensed Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet. For reasons unknown, Starscream is a tan/taupe coloring, with rather "backwards" paint details: Parts painted gray on Starscream are metallic on the real F-22, and parts painted silver (such as the edges of his wings) are actually supposed to be gray.
- However, most of Starscream's vehicle mode inaccuracies are down to his very design and structure. He has almost no engine details to speak of, the rear stabilizers are the wrong shape (and of extremely simple sculpt) and his head and feet are blatantly visible. Starscream also almost certainly has the most undercarriage junk of any Transformer based on a real-life plane ever made, with his legs creating a large and blocky fuselage section and some huge and very prominent triple-barrel Gatling missile launchers mounted under each wing. Pushing the fighter along a smooth surface causes the barrels to rotate and fire their projectiles, which can also be stored in the black flip-up braces on the launchers.
- During transformation, pushing up upon the canopy fuselage piece activates Starscream's Automorphing gimmick, which pushes panels out of the torso, wings and stabilizers. In robot mode, Starscream is mostly faithful to his movie CGI model, except for being bulkier around his chest, lacking engines on his back and having the very large Gatling cannons serve as his arms (a facsimile of his much slenderer weapons from the movie). Interestingly, his projectile missiles are sculpted to resemble fingers, should users choose keep them loaded while Starscream is in robot mode.
- This toy was later retooled and redecoed into Movie Thundercracker.
- Battle Blade Starscream (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
- Japanese ID number: QC-02
- Fast Action Battlers "Battle Blade" Starscream transforms into a somewhat superdeformed F-22 Raptor, simplifying the overall design to the point of his feet noticeably sticking out the aft of the fighter, and has a truncated transformation sequence reminiscent of past Transformers such as Generation 1 Jetfire and Cybertron Thundercracker. Rather than having a separate weapon, he only has a claw-like blade that flips over the right hand (hence "Battle Blade") and a missile in the palm of his left hand.
- This toy was later redecoed as Claw Slash Ramjet.
- Starscream (Legends, 2007)
- Legends-class Starscream is a highly simplified, low-cost version of Starscream in his F-22 Raptor body. As such, he has a greatly compromised transformation sequence due to the smaller parts count, with limited articulation and detailing. He's also the bronzest F-22 Raptor Starscream toy there is.
- Starscream (Voyager, 2007)
- An extensive redeco of Voyager class Starscream available only as a Target exclusive, this version is redecoed in a color scheme based upon Generation 1 Starscream. This version of Starscream shares the retooled version of this mold with Movie Thundercracker, giving Starscream a new, vaguely G1-ish head sculpt. The packaging for this toy explains that Starscream altered his appearance following his escape at the end of the film in order to avoid detection. This is possibly a set-up for the yet-to-be-made sequel.
- Allspark Legends (Multi-pack, 2007)
- A Toys R Us exclusive, this six-pack of Legends class figures contains unmodified toys of Optimus Prime, Jazz, Bumblebee, Megatron, Starscream and Barricade.
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- Starscream Vardia Red Model (Voyager, 2007)
- In a joint venture by Paramount Home Entertainment Japan and electronics giant Toshiba, Starscream Vardia Red Model is an exclusive redeco of Voyager Starscream only available with Toshiba's new Vardia RD-A301 HD DVD recorder. The package also comes with an HD-DVD copy of Transformers, five HD DVD-R and five DVD-R discs.
- Starscream Vardia Red Model is extremely red, with some gold, a little black and Toshiba Vardia markings on his hull. With the player expected to cost just under 100,000 yen, this may be the most expensive Transformers exclusive to be released in relatively large quantities.
- Nightwatch Optimus Prime Vs. Stealth Starscream (Legends 2-pack, 2008)
- The previously released Legends-class Starscream toy is redecoed predominantly black and silver, somewhat resembling Generation 1 Skywarp. He comes with a redeco Legends-class Optimus Prime in his Nightwatch color scheme.
Merchandise
Robot Heroes
- Armored Bumblebee vs. Starscream (2007)
- Starscream Barrel Roll Blaster (2007)
- This version of Starscream's altmode turns into not a robot, but a robot fist holding a two-barreled blaster. The guns in this form fire Nerf N-Strike-sized foam missiles.
- Lunchables "Pocket Transformers" toy prize (2007)
- Free inside specially marked boxes of Oscar Meyer Lunchables dinners, Starscream is one of six "Pocket Transformers" toy prizes. Molded in green, his tablet unfolds to reveal a picture of his robot mode inside.
- The Lunchables website code engraved on his back is "MISLEAD."
- Starscream Micro Flyer (2007)
- Starscream Burger King free toy (2007)
- A non-transformable version of Starscream, cast primarily in chalk-grey plastic. It can rotate its arms at the shoulder. The toy's main gimmick, though, is the wheel in his chest. Striking the wheel causes it to advance to the next slot, revealing damage to Starscream's torso. A second tap reveals even more damage. Despite being a free pack-in toy, the figure is surprisingly well molded, having well defined head parts and the twin afterburners on his back that even the Voyager version lacks. It even has six fingers (or rather, four fingers and two thumbs) on each hand!
Trivia
- The card back of Protoform Starscream's packaging features a him with a completely different, earlier head sculpt. What's more, this head design is featured on his protoform body in IDW's movie prequel comics.
- His protoform was not the only design to get a new head. The earliest concepts of Starscream's head were more skull-like and oblong in shape. This was, of course, redesigned to look more "like a samurai helmet." Unlike the redesigned head of Megatron, Starscream's earlier face only shows up in ONE piece of media: the book Look and Find Transformers.
- Starscream seems to be able to fly while out of his jet form, using the F-22's engines on his back. Whether this is his actual robot form or a form between his robot and jet forms isn't known, though it appears the latter is true, as seen when he attacks the other F-22s (see picture above).
- On-screen in the actual movie, Starscream has only one short conversation with Megatron and a total screen time of less than 10 minutes.
- It has been suggested that, following his attack on the F-22 squadron over the city, Starscream was able to hide among the survivors and take part in the attack on Megatron shortly thereafter. This theory is speculative; while it fits the character of the G1 Starscream from the '80s, there is nothing actually on the screen to suggest it. (Roberto Orci was asked, but refused to give a definite answer.)[1]
- The Sector Seven online ARG used the "Masterpiece" version of Generation 1 Starscream to represent the "real" Starscream who had infiltrated Earth. A lot of Generation 1 cameos were made in this manner. Make of that what you will.
- Even though Starscream has only two lines of dialogue, José Sant'anna, who played the G1 character in the Brazilian dub of the original cartoon, was re-cast to play the role in the movie. However, his voice was so heavily modulated that only someone with a really good ear could recognize him. Go figure.
