Sideswipe (Movie)

The name or term "Sideswipe" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Sideswipe (disambiguation).

Sideswipe is an Autobot from the Revenge of the Fallen portion of the live-action film continuity family.

Also known as "Stabby McWheelfeet".

Sideswipe is true to his function of Warrior. Though proficient with guns, he prefers melee combat to ranged weapons, and will employ any maneuver it takes to get close enough to the enemy to use his arm-mounted Cybertanium swords. His agile, wheel-legged form more than allows for this. His tactics are merciless and he's utterly unapologetic about this—war, after all, is messy.

Oh, and he's also not vain at all: those alt modes of his are chosen for speed only. It's a total coincidence that the fastest one just happens to be a sleek, sexy, concept model that's better than your car, honest!

Damn, I'm good.Sideswipe, Revenge of the Fallen

I am a warrior. I bleed conflict.Sideswipe, Tales of the Fallen issue 2

Fiction

IDW Transformers movie comics

This section covers fiction that is ongoing. It will be added to as the story progresses. If it isn't current, you can help by updating it.

When Sideswipe joined the Autobots he trained under the veteran warrior Ironhide, learning the arts of war. After his training was complete, he went on to become the protector of a settlement of displaced Autobots. This settlement was found by the pitiless Demolishor, who slaughtered them nearly to a bot. Sideswipe was ashamed, not only over having failed to protect his charges, but also because he had lived to tell the tale.Tales of the Fallen issue 2

After Optimus Prime's Autobots left Mission City, they left a homing beacon in a junk yard near the metropolis to attract any Autobots who might have heard Prime's rallying call to Earth. Alliance issue 3 Sideswipe was among those few that answered the beacon and had hidden themselves in the junk yard. Once discovered, they were brought to Diego Garcia to train with the other Autobots and Major Lennox's soldiers in defense of their new home. Alliance issue 4 However, Sideswipe proved a loose cannon as he continued his vendetta against Demolishor when the Decepticon turned up in Montevideo, Uruguay. Showing little regard for humans in pursuing his quarry, Sideswipe's actions prompted Ironhide to arrive on the scene to rein him in. The younger Autobot was openly insubordinate towards Ironhide, warning him not to get in the way. Ultimately all the old veteran could do was to serve as damage control during Sideswipe's singleminded pursuit. Ultimately more reinforcements from NEST arrived, and Demolishor fled the scene. In the aftermath, Sideswipe saw the fear and mistrust the humans regarded him with because of his violent actions. Understanding this, he was forced to admit that Ironhide's admonishment of him was correct. Tales of the Fallen issue 2

Sideswipe didn't have long to wait for another shot at his nemesis. Soon enough, Demolishor had been sighted in Shanghai, China. Alliance issue 4

Titan Magazines ROTF comic

“	Skids? Mudflap? Hhh. What have I ever done to deserve this?	”
—Sideswipe on his training position, Reversal of Fortune

"Look, you guys are the Jar Jar Binks of this franchise. There's always room for improvement."

Unlike most Autobots, Sideswipe—part of a younger generation built during wartime—was made to fight. He was born during the war and with full knowledge of the Cybertronian battlefield, designed solely for killing. He's master of the quick-change transformation! Sideswipe's profile

Sideswipe served as a combat instructor at NEST's Scottish base, and had to put Skids and Mudflap back through basic training—something he was fed up of. As far as he was concerned, they should've been put on charge for causing Grindor to escape and he should have better things to do. He dealt with this by putting the twins through simulated combat after simulated combat, finally cracking it up to maximum setting, before someone knocked him out.

When he came to, the twins were babbling about how a mysterious and long-vanished Decepticon working for another mysterious Decepticon had done it and tried to kill them! Sideswipe was having none of it, viewing this as implausible and believing the twins knocked him out in revenge for training and were covering themselves. Between this and Grindor, he was becoming suspicious of them... New Tricks

Following the training, poor Sideswipe took them to Diego Garcia and continued to be pestered by them for a meeting with Prime. Not trusting them and ignoring their babble about some "dude", he tried to discourage them, only for the two to sneak off behind his back. Sighing, he went in pursuit... and saw them distract Prime before a Decepticon attacked, Skids tripped over Prime before he could take charge, and Mudflap handed a weapon to an escaping prisoner! When Optimus remarked that someone must've compromised security, Sideswipe fingered the twins: their actions clearly showed they were turncoats! Reversal of Fortune

Sideswipe would be part of the team tracking down the twins Outlaw Blues, and would later be surprised when they were tracked down to North Carolina... and were fighting two Decepticons? Why, if he didn't know better, he'd think they were fighting the two 'cons they'd helped! Turnabout

After the Autobots tracked the twins to the Decepticon's base, it became clear they weren't traitors after all and had been framed. Did Sideswipe apologise? Hell no, he instead had a scary amount of fun slaughtering drones and had to be told off by Ironhide for excessive bloodlust. Back-to-Back

Later, after the twins turned out to have told the truth about this "Fallen" guy, Sideswipe was with Ironhide cleaning up the remaining Decepticons on Earth. Spare Parts!

Revenge of the Fallen movie

Voice actor: André Sogliuzzo (English) Akio Ohtsuka (Japanese)

Damn, he's good... at killing fleeing cowards.

Sideswipe was one of the Autobots sent to Shanghai when Decepticon energy signatures were detected, but he was initially held in reserve. As Sideways managed to flee from Arcee and the Twins in vehicle mode, Major Lennox ordered Sideswipe deployed. Sideswipe immediately sped in and quickly changed to robot mode. Catching up with Sideways by dexterously skating on his wheel-feet, Sideswipe somersaulted over the Decepticon, threw his right blade in the Decepticon's hood, and then dragged the blade in the opposite direction, tearing Sideways apart. Sideswipe took a moment to reflect on the success of his kill.

Afterwards, he returned with the other Autobots to NEST's base in Diego Garcia, where he witnessed Director Theodore Galloway air the President's concerns over the recent spate of Decepticon activity, and how the Autobots remaining on Earth might be the cause of it.

After the All Spark shard was stolen by Ravage from NEST's secured bunker and Decepticons were detected heading towards Sam Witwicky at Princeton University, Sideswipe and the other Autobots were deployed to intercept, but arrived too late: Optimus Prime had died protecting the human boy from the resurrected Megatron, Starscream and Grindor.

The "Where's Sideswipe?" series of books never really caught on.

The Autobots and NEST arrived at a United States air base to discover that they were no longer welcome, following renewed Decepticon aggression after Prime's death, and that they were ordered to return to Diego Garcia. The emotionally overwhelmed Autobots nearly came to blows with their former allies but finally agreed to stand down and remain on Earth. When Major Lennox learned Witwicky had come up with a way to possibly resurrect Optimus Prime, NEST travelled to Egypt instead. Sideswipe, who had been covered in a cargo net while being transported in vehicle mode, relished the chance to cut through his bonds when deployed from the air. He fought off many Decepticons during Operation: Firestorm, and bore witness to Sam resurrecting Optimus Prime with the Matrix of Leadership, and the death of The Fallen. Revenge of the Fallen

Toy bios

Before the war, Sideswipe was a major competitor in the gladiatorial games. Years of training made him a master at fencing, something he viewed as an art to be celebrated through battle. When war broke out, he was sickened by the Decepticon's slaughter and vowed to use his fencing skills to defend the innocent. Robot Replica Sideswipe Before he enlisted with the Autobots, Sideswipe traveled the galaxy in search of the most proficient warriors and devastating martial arts he could find, leading to him becoming an Autobot combat instructor.

He's also a raw, untrained guy! Used to battling alone, he was given over to Robert Epps to be trained as a team player. The two have become good friends, and Sideswipe is now more dangerous than ever. Sideswipe / Tech. Sergeant Epps

When the hooligan Fearswoop gained new powers and threatened Earth, Sideswipe was dispatched with Mudflap to take the giant Decepticon down. The Fury of Fearswoop

Cyber Missions

Voice actor: Bronco D. Jackson

Tracking Megatron to a disused factory with Optimus, Sideswipe complained about the dust until Optimus told him to be quiet. Optimus's scans turned up nothing, but Megatron soon revealed himself, batting Sideswipe aside. The young Autobot quickly recovered and joined Megatron in sword combat, even stabbing the Decepticon leader in the foot mid-sentence. Megatron subsequently brought the roof down on the two Autobots and escaped, though neither Autobot was harmed. Cyber Missions 4

Later, Sideswipe was pursuing Barricade and Frenzy in Scramble City, and took a turn to let the Decepticons think they had lost him, in truth following them to the facility they were heading for. After crumpling Frenzy into a ball and batting him back at Barricade, Sideswipe engaged the larger Decepticon, but was stopped with fire suppression equipment that froze him to the databanks. As the Decepticons were able to escape, Sideswipe broke free and learned that they had stolen NEST's defense deactivation codes. Cyber Missions 6

Soon after, he was able to discover a wounded Ratchet back in Mission City and took him back to Diego Garcia to be repaired. While Ratchet was getting fixed up, Sideswipe traded in his shattered blades for new blasters. While they did that, Lockdown arrived and threatened Sideswipe during target practice. Apparently, he had enough- he was able to shoot the EMP blaster off of Lockdown's wrist and back to Ratchet, who was fully operational. Lockdown, now without a blaster weapon, pushed Sideswipe aside and fled, much to Sideswipe's dismay, but Ratchet assured him that he was headed straight for the medical bay. There, he saw an out-cold Lockdown laying on an operating table, all the while stating he couldn't look. Cyber Missions 7

Games

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - The Game

Voice actor: Nolan North (English)

Silver or red, yer dead.

Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC

Sideswipe was absent from the released game, but on August 27, 2009, was made available as a playable character (for multiplayer games) as optional downloadable content for Xbox 360 and Sony Playstation 3 owners. The pack also included a red alternate colour scheme for Sideswipe, as a homage to his Generation 1 counterpart.

PSP

Sideswipe is one of several Autobots that can be played with during the campaign mode of the game, and thus has no real story of his own apart from the events mentioned below.

Autobot campaign

Sideswipe managed to get ambushed by the Decepticon forces during the battle in Shanghai, and the Autobots had to move out to save their comrade, leaving the All Spark fragment in the Decepticons' hands.

Revenge of the Fallen (PSP)

Toys

Revenge of the Fallen

Legends Class toys

Hey! I have real feet now!

• Sideswipe (Legends, 2009)
  • Japanese ID number: EZ-06

Legends Class Sideswipe transforms into a tiny Corvette Stingray concept car. As a Legends toy, he features a simplified transformation sequence that results in swords that consist entirely out of door kibble and barely-noticeable reliefs of his wheel-feet.

This toy was redecoed into Revenge of the Fallen Swerve.

• More information on Sideswipe at TFU.info

Mudflap as his partner... Screwed, or not screwed?

• The Fury of Fearswoop (Figure multi-pack, 2009)

A "battle damaged" deco version of Legends Sideswipe was available in the Walmart-exclusive "The Fury of Fearswoop" 3-pack together with a similarly "battle damaged" version of Legends Mudflap and Deluxe class Fearswoop. That the set uses a pair of Legends-class cars and a Deluxe-class jet means the toys are in a roughly-correct scale to each other... which is borked by the story, in which Fearswoop is supposedly much huger than normal thanks to some unnamed mystic artifact.

• More information on "Fury of Fearswoop" Sideswipe at TFU.info

Was the painter sleeping at the controls?!

• Bluesteel Sideswipe (Legends, 2010)

"Bluesteel" Sideswipe is a metallic blue redeco of Legends Sideswipe, also featuring some minor detail changes, including finally painting his fake wheel-feet to make them stand out.

Deluxe Class toys

His heroes are Tigatron and Edward Scissorhands.

• Sideswipe (Deluxe, 2009)
  • Japanese ID number: RA-04

Sideswipe transforms into a silver Corvette Stingray concept car. In this mode, he sits so low that it's difficult to roll him without scraping his undercarriage, unless you perform some careful shaping after transforming him. Sideswipe's Mech Alive gimmick is in his knees—bending his legs causes the blue armor plates on his knees to extend. He does have wheels in his feet like his character model, but the toy's feet have been designed in such a way that it can stand alone. Rounding out his robot-mode awesomeness, his hips have an "invisible joint" and moving pistons, while his "blades" are geared to spin out in unison. He is totally awesome.

Sideswipe's instructions aren't clear as to how his torso is supposed to connect with his chest in robot mode. The torso piece has a square peg on top of it and there is a corresponding square hole between the two screws holding the front of his chest together. Getting his torso section in front of his arm struts can be a somewhat snug fit.

This mold was retooled into Revenge of the Fallen Swerve.

• More information on Sideswipe at TFU.info

"Well basically, I just copied the Sideswipe we have now. And this racing stripe here I feel is pretty sharp."

• Strike Mission Sideswipe (Deluxe, 2010)

This redeco of Sideswipe features red translucent windows, a large black racing stripe running down the center of the car and fading black stripes on the doors. Like many Autobots in the NEST Global Alliance Revenge of the Fallen toyline refresh, he features a version of the NEST logo tampographed on him.

This deco is also the basis for the Gravity Bots "Nitro" Sideswipe toy.

Human Alliance

Training with Sergeant Epps really beefed him up!

• Sideswipe / Tech. Sergeant Epps (Human Alliance, 2009)
  • Japanese ID number: RA-22
  • Accessories:

Like all Human Alliance figures, Sideswipe is designed to allow his accompanying human figure, in this case Robert Epps, to ride inside.

While in many ways simply a larger version of the Deluxe toy, it has several changes. The wheeled feet may now fold out into a stand system, allowing Sideswipe to stand without having to balance on the wheels, or be left as is to retain a more rounded look, and his blades are now rubberized to prevent injury. The sword-hands can also be slotted into a gear system connected to the front wheels, which causes them to spin as the wheels are turned. Like the Deluxe figure, the HA Sideswipe is something of a shellformer and suffers from an excessive amount of kibble, as nearly the entire top of the vehicle mode is folded up into a backpack, with only the rear bumper being incorporated as Sideswipe's chest. The passenger's seat may either be used as a seat for Epps, or turned into a missile launcher slung over Sideswipe's left shoulder.

A great deal goes unmentioned in the instructions: in addition to the seats behind Sideswipe's shoulders, there are pegs on both forearms that a Human Alliance human figure can stand on or have plugged into their back, but neither are accomplished very well; the pegs also interfere with free rolling in vehicle mode, scraping on the ground. There is a fold-out handle under the swiveling rear window section, which seems to serve no purpose; it's possible to fold this section over Sideswipe's head (and, by extension, any human figure sitting behind his shoulder), but the handle doesn't line up with anything. There are also small tabs that fold out of Sideswipe's waist to make him more movie-accurate. Finally, Sideswipe has a battle mask; or rather, his normal head is his battle mask. A thin sliver in the middle of his face flips back to reveal his "real" face. It looks...odd. It's probably best to leave the thing down and never speak of this feature.

Fast Action Battlers

Has anyone seen my proportions?

• Battle Blade Sideswipe (Fast Action Battler, 2009)

This roughly Deluxe-sized version of Sideswipe is a kid-friendly version with a simpler transformation, transforming from a Corvette Stingray car to a simplified version of his robot mode presented in the Revenge of the Fallen movie. His main gimmick is his spring-loaded arm-blades which automatically swing down when pulled upward.

• Night Blades Sideswipe (Fast Action Battler, 2010)

Haven't found my proportions yet, but look at this cool deco I found!

This redeco of Battle Blade Sideswipe colors his car mode dark gray and light green. His robot-mode bits remain silver.

Battle Chargers

He secretly envies the original Battlechargers for having better feet.

• Sideswipe (Battle Charger, 2009)

Part of the Robot Powered Machines subline, Battle Charger Sideswipe is a cutesified Corvette Stingray with a pull-back motor. When pulled back and let go, his roof flips open and his robot mode pops out.

• Hyper Speed Sideswipe (Battle Charger, 2009)

Hyper Speed Sideswipe is a white redeco of Battle Charger Sideswipe with black details here and there.

Gravity Bots

Before he joined the army, Sideswipe was picked on a lot for his "mass problem".

• Sideswipe (Gravity Bot, 2009)
  • Japanese ID number: GB-04

Part of the second wave of Gravity Bots, Sideswipe uses gravity-activated autotransformation to turn into a super deformed Corvette Stingray when laid on his back. When the car is stood back up, it transforms back into its boxy robot mode.

The toy features no articulation whatsoever, but that doesn't matter because he's awesome.

• Nitro Sideswipe (Gravity Bot, 2010)

A redeco of regular Gravity Bot Sideswipe, Nitro Sideswipe features maroon windows and black stripes and wheels, very similar to the Deluxe Class "Strike Mission" Sideswipe toy. He of course retains the same awesome play feature.

Robot Replicas

I haven't sliced anyone up in awhile, I gots the Blue Blades!

• Sideswipe (Robot Replicas, 2009)

Robot Replicas Sideswipe is a non- transforming, but highly detailed and articulated interpretation of his robot mode from the movie. He features highly posable legs, arms, feet, head, waist, neck and shoulders, making him both an awesome kid's toy and display piece.

Funnily enough, despite the Robot Replica promise of total movie-accuracy, his arm-blades are considerably shortened and are a weird metallic blue colour, rather than the silver/gray you might expect.

Power Bots

Crikey!

• Sideswipe (Power Bots, 2009)

Power Bots Sideswipe is a bulky, non-transforming toy for younger children. He features limited articulation in his limbs and head, two very blunt swords, and various playing sound clips and flashing lights. He has an North Americanised Australian accent!

Transformers (2010)

Deluxe Class toys

File:SideswipeSidearmToyHFTD.jpg

• Sidearm Sideswipe (Deluxe, 2010)

A new mold that gives Sideswipe hand held guns rather than blades.

Merchandise

RPMs—Robot Powered Machines

Speed Series

• Sideswipe (2009)
• Number: 04 of 04

Robot Powered Machines Sideswipe is a small, non-transforming car with his robot mode sculpted underneath. Said robot mode has his swords colored red, for some reason. The car's wheels feature through-axle construction for speedy racing on flat surfaces.

Although a stolen prototype that surfaced in 2008 was pretty accurate to the Corvette Stingray car from the movie, the actual RPM Sideswipe toy has been severely altered and looks more like an Aston Martin. Unfortunately, Mattel was able to secure exclusive rights for releasing a Concept Stingray model car at a 1:64 scale for their Hot Wheels line (the toy was recently released as part of the "2010 New Models" lineup).

Battle Series

• Sideswipe vs. Wreckloose (2010)
• Number: 01 of 06

A redeco of RPM Sideswipe with red stripes and a large Autobot insignia on his roof. It was only available in a two-pack with Wreckloose.

Robot Heroes

Still needs training wheels.

• Sideswipe and Sideways (2009)

Sideswipe is part of the first wave of Revenge of the Fallen Robot Heroes figures and is packaged versus Sideways. He has rotational articulation at both shoulders, but his head is molded into his torso. In order to stand up, the figurine must rest its weight on one of his arms.

"Damn, I'm cute."

• Shanghai Shootout (Multi-pack, 2009)

Shanghai Shootout replicates the opening action scene from Revenge of the Fallen, featuring figurines of Mudflap/Skids (ice cream truck), Sideways (vehicle mode), Optimus Prime, Demolishor, and Sideswipe (vehicle mode). Demolishor is a slightly-oversized figure and the centerpiece of the box set.

Trivia

There was a time he would have had feet.

• On June 11, 2008, blurry camera phone photos from the set of Revenge of the Fallen offered the first look at Sideswipe's vehicle mode, which was believed to be a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette XR1 at that time. Ten days later, leaked photos offered a better look at the car being painted by Saleen, which was now revealed to be a never-seen-before Corvette model. On August 7, 2008, Jalopnik claimed having received information that the car was a so-called "Corvette Centennial Concept". General Motors finally admitted the car's existence at the Chicago Auto Show in February of 2009, now confirming that it was, in fact, a new Corvette Stingray concept.

• Rumored names for Sideswipe in the early days of the movie shooting were "Hot Rod" (which might have been a case of fans simply suggesting a random name and other fans subsequently treating it as gospel) and "Stinger". The latter originated with a (real) call sheet leaked in June 2008, which suggests that "Stinger" was an actual working name.

• Thanks to that whole General Motors bankruptcy thing, Sideswipe may be the closest we'll ever get to seeing a real Stingray.

• Sideswipe was recently announced as a new downloadable character for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions of Revenge of the Fallen, alongside Soundwave. He is the only downloadable character with a G1 homage skin, which makes him twice as awesome.

• Sideswipe's Cybertronian mode was revealed in Tales of the Fallen, as well as the fact he arrived on Earth in November 2008.

• According to Ironhide in Law and Disorder, he has a relative called Sunstreaker. #13's Law and Disorder