The problem with Arcee is quite simply - how do you create a believable Transformer that fits into the space of a fully functioning motorcycle. The answer is to get 6 custom built bikes from RetroSBK, after Dreamworks contacted owner Will Kenefick, so Ventura County Star report.
Kenefick has since worked ridiculous man hours to get these six bikes (the turnaround for one usually being 6 months), ready in time for filming. The 3 “hero” bikes and 3 “stunt” bikes were ready in time and some were in action at the start of June in Pennsylvania - Kenefick was on hand to fix and maintain the vehicles, sometimes getting only 2 hours of sleep. My guess is that the bikes we have seen were the 3 stunt bikes (this fits in with the call sheet), the 3 hero bikes being used for close up non-action shots, which is probably where most of the paint has gone!
He estimates that 1273 hours were put in and that each bike cost $40,000, with $10,000 on paint alone (which added a further 1036 hours of work). Because the bikes are small it is expected that they will be showcased at the movie’s première.
One of RetroSBK’s awesome custom built bike’s:
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Comments 8 Responses to “The six custom built Arcee motorcycles”
From the call sheet leaked a while ago:
“GO KART, Arcee & Stinger chase R8 Along street with stacks. R8, Arcee, Stinger, Hummers, Trikes all race past Ice Cream Truc. Ice Cream truck chases R8 thru alleys. Crashes. Splits in two. Twins fight. Low Camer R8 in bushes. Overlap explosion R8 races away toward Backside.”
it sounds to me like the concept of multiple robots creating single vehicles - and vice versa - is a big factor in the new movie - and with that - couldn’t one surmise that the ‘multiple Arcee’s could form a single robot, thus eliminate the concern you introduced that a ‘believable Transformer that fits into the space of a fully functioning motorcycle’ is possible.
That said, is it possible to believe that Arcee, Stinger (which is that the ‘motorcycle-snowmobile’ we saw earlier), Trikes (probably 3-wheelers) and this R8? all form to make a BIG, constructacon-type robot?
Looks like we’ll have to see.
-Thomas.
That doesn’t look very feminine to me! Get Pink or Get Lost!
$10k in paint? someone’s paying WAYYYYYYY too much !!
db
Wow, I think it looks great. This time, however, I wont get my hopes so high they will inevitably be crushed. I will reserve judgement until I see the movie. I hope there’s more Transformer screen time this time. I swear if I have to sit through stupid fake military conversations with some random General, a guy who plays video games all day and eats donuts and doritos and is supposedly the greatest computer genius, and an English girl who was more annoying than cute, I will be done with Bayformers. Done.
WHOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
CONSTRUCT-A-%#(@!-CONS, B!%#@$$#$!!!!
You guys have NO idea how badass that is!!!
I can’t wait, i’m gonna pee myself when they pull it off, fo’ real!
Stinger is supposedly a small (think Frenzy) RC vehicle. A robot the humans can carry with them.
As soon as I heard about the multiple Arcee drivers, I’ve thought Arcee would be multiple bikes that “merged.”
I’d like to HOPE that’s not Arcee as it doesn’t in any way represent her,
but then again I’ve never liked the idea of her being a motorcycle in the first place. NEVER.
I bet Bumblebee will fall in love with Arcee in TF2, wow it will be romantic in the movie when they show up loving each other.