Starscream (film series)

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Transformers character
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Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Starscream
Name Starscream
Decepticon
Series Transformers
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
English voice actor Charlie Adler (films, 2009 video game)
Patrick Hallahan (animated prequel)
Daniel Ross (2007 video game)
Bronco O. Jackson (Cyber Missions)
Steven Blum (2011 video game)
John Kassir (2012 Theme Park ride)
Japanese voice actor Tadashi Miyazawa (movies only)
Kenyu Horiuchi (games only)
Information
Alternate modes Entry mode protoform, Cybertronian jet fighter, Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
Function Decepticon Commander
Gender Male
Motto "Truly the universe favors those who persist."
Partner Megatron, Barricade, The Fallen, Rampage, and Sentinel Prime
Rank 9
Sub-group Fast Action Battlers, Micro Vehicles, Deluxe, Voyagers, Leaders

Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers series. He is a high ranking Decepticon in the Transformers film series and related media.

Transformers

During production of the live-action film, writer Alex Kurtzman stated that Starscream would not stray from his treacherous roots as he seeks to overthrow Megatron, and frequently engages in bickering arguments with him. In the first film, he is seen vehemently pledging his allegiance to Megatron when the latter breaks free from the Hoover Dam, but unlike the other Decepticons, he is not killed in the final battle and leaves Earth at the end of the movie. For unknown reasons, he passes up a chance to take the All Spark for himself. Although, it could be that he didn't dare try, with Megatron so near.

As always, Starscream transforms into a jet, in this case a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor; the successor to his original Generation 1 jet mode: the F-15 Eagle. He has a somewhat hatred of Megatron and seeks to be Leader of the Decepticons. He is bulkier than most incarnations, due to the size of the Raptor combined with the lack of mass displacement. He maintains a simian body shape with a large, triangular chest, large shoulders formed by the jet's distinctive twin tails, long arms, and legs with a digitigrade structure. His design retains some iconic fatures of his original Generation 1 incarnation, such as his chest still formed by the jet's cockpit. The jet's powerful main engines end up on his back, allowing him to leap great heights into the air and take flight, much like a jetpack. They also allow him to control his descent if he transforms out of his jet form in midair. His movements are a combination of acrobatic and avian, grabbing hold of a bridge's bottom to launch himself up into the air and transforming in mid-flight to swoop down upon his prey. His arms store heavy weaponry, with a missile launcher carrying six missiles in both arms, a saw in his right arm, and a high caliber machine gun (probably the jet's Vulcan cannon). In the movie's video game tie-ins, he is also seen detaching one or both of his wings and using them as short swords (a reference to his depiction in Transformers: Armada). When in Raptor mode he can simulate the presence of a human pilot, the same holographic model (referred to as "Mustache Man" on-set and in the credits) that "pilots" Blackout and "drives" Barricade. The actor is Air Force Major Brian Reece, a helicopter pilot instructor at Kirtland Air Force Base.[1]

The official guide to the Transformers video game says he is 31 feet tall (9.4 m), although measuring his 2007 Voyager class toy suggests he would stand 55 feet (16.8 m) tall and the 2009 Voyager toy suggests he would stand 46.2 feet tallTemplate:Or. The Transformers U.K. magazine states he stands 31 feet (9.4 m) tall, weighs 5.3 (short) tons (4.8 tons) and can travel up to Mach 3.

The movie prequel comics show Starscream acquiring his Raptor form by scanning an experimental Raptor prototype before shooting it down, which should put him among the 411th Flight Test Squadron based out of Edwards Air Force Base (responsible for testing new F-22s). Movie scenes show him among a squadron bearing "ED" tail markings, placing him at Edwards. However, promotional photos of Starscream released with the movie show sufficient detail to recognize the markings on the fuselage of Starscream's disguise: the tail that forms his left shoulder bears a winged sword enclosed in a shield, denoting the Air Combat Command, as well as the letters "FF 1st FW" indicating the 1st Fighter Wing based out of Langley Air Force Base; a portion of the nose forming his chest shows a reversed version of the "flying fist" insignia of the 1st Fighter Wing's 71st Fighter Squadron. This is inaccurate on two counts, since the 71st still flies the F-15 Eagle; however, this could be a homage to the Generation 1 Starscream's F-15 mode.

Books

In the prequel novel Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday it is revealed that Starscream is the leader of the Decepticons following Megatron's disappearance during his search for the Allspark. He and a crew of Decepticons travel aboard the Nemesis to search for the Allspark and Megatron, although Starscream is not keen on finding the latter. His leadership is uneasy at best: Blackout opposes him at every turn (rightly not trusting Starscream and thinking that he would prefer that they never find Megatron), while Barricade tolerates it only as a means of finding Megatron. Encountering Ghost-1, a human craft of Cybertronian design, Starscream manipulates them into revealing that Megatron and the Allspark are on Earth, then betrays them. After winning a vicious duel with Blackout for leadership, he launches a full-scale assault on the Autobots. Just as he and Bonecrusher almost kill Optimus Prime, Starscream is severely injured by Ghost-1. In retaliation, he destroys the human craft before retreating.[2] Optimus Prime notes that Starscream's Cybertronian jet mode resembles that of Megatron's.

Starscream returns in Transformers: The Veiled Threat. With Megatron dead, Starscream eventually returns to Earth around Zambia, where he gains control over local rebel groups by using his internal synthesizers to create gold coins. With his group composed of Dropkick, Macerator, and Payload, Starscream leads an attack on a local dam construction site, making short work of the security forces, and proceeds to steal mass quantities of explosives. But as the Autobots arrive to engage his followers, Starscream springs his trap as both sides are nearly killed with Beachbreak the only casualty before Macerator is killed. Making his way to Europe, Starscream strikes a deal with an Italian criminal named Bruno Carrera to help destroy Optimus Prime in exchange for dominion over Europe when the Decepticons triumph. With Swindle and Dead End to call out the Autobots, Starscream tricks Prime with the strong set of restraints arranged by Carrera before he attacks the remaining Autobots until Prime breaks free. Forced to fall back, Starscream attacks Carrera at this villa for his “failure”.

Comics

IDW Publishing

The back story of the Transformers on ancient Cybertron is told in Transformers: Defiance. In this story, Starscream returns to Cybertron after encountering an enemy scout ship in the Eshems Nebula. After being repaired for minor damage by Ratchet, Starscream and Ironhide report to Optimus Prime and Megatron.[3] Later, the planet is invaded by aliens from the Eshems Nebula and Starscream is among the defenders in the city of Metrotitan, near the temple at Simfur. In issue #2, he sides with Megatron in his decision to counterattack Cybertron's invaders and is among the fleet that attacks their ships.

Starscream also appears at the end of issue #3 of Transformers: Movie Prequel, where he, Blackout and Barricade destroy the Mars Beagle probe. In issue 4, he travels to Earth, gaining his F-22 alternate mode by scanning an experimental Raptor before shooting it down. The three Decepticons, detecting emissions similar to that of the Allspark, then stumble onto Sector 7's trap for Bumblebee, wiping out their military backup. Starscream then approves Barricade's plan to follow Bumblebee and see if he could lead them to the All Spark, tailing him from the air.

He appears in the official movie sequel comic called "The Reign of Starscream".[4] In this story, Starscream leaves the battle in Mission City, where he finds Barricade alive, but damaged, and then goes to recover Frenzy's body from the Sector 7 base under Hoover Dam in hopes of gaining information on the All Spark. After recovering Frenzy, Starscream is confronted by Sector 7 forces commanded by Agent Salazar. After an unsuccessful attempt by Salazar to use L.M.-1 in battle Starscream kidnaps Salazar and leaves Earth for Mars. Salazar dies from decompression, much to Starscream's surprise, when they leave Earth's atmosphere. Starscream barely makes it to the Nemesis on Mars before he runs out of power. His return is noted by the Autobot Cosmos, who alerts Arcee, Cliffjumper, Smokescreen, Camshaft and Air Raid. Aided by Thundercracker aboard the Nemesis, Starscream recovers and sends the information Frenzy had gathered back to Cybertron just as Hardtop spots the Autobots closing on the Nemesis. In issue #5, Starscream sacrifices the sparks of Crankcase, Elita One, Grindcore, Signal Flare and Warpath to bring his new All Spark Cube online. Although the cube fails to function, Starscream does not have time to find out why, as Dreadwing makes his bid to overthrow the Decepticons using his army of drones. Ramjet and Divebomb side with Dreadwing, but Thundercracker and Stockade remain loyal to Starscream. Crosshairs beheads Ramjet and the Autobots are able to deactivate the drones as Starscream overcomes Dreadwing's remaining forces, including Divebomb. Dreadwing escapes to the Nemesis, but is followed by Starscream. Crashing on Mars, Dreadwing thinks he was free, but Starscream kills him before turning his eye to Earth.

In Transformers: Alliance, a month after the battle at Mission City, Epps and Lennox contact Optimus Prime, Ratchet and Ironhide about aiding them in escorting the remains of the Decepticons to the naval yard. Unknowingly, they are spied on by Barricade, who transmits the information to Starscream, who is applying Cybertronian symbols on his body. Unable to ignore the possibility of being able to take out Prime, Megatron and Wreckage at once, Starscream attacks, but is unable to overpower Wreckage, who is enhanced with a sliver of the All Spark. As Wreckage is about to deal a deathblow, he is distracted by Bumblebee. Starscream capitalizes and guts his foe before turning his firepower on the Autobot and the humans. However, he then retreats, having an unexpected communication from Soundwave.

In Transformers: Rising Storm, it is revealed that Starscream has broken away from Megatron's rule, and formed his own army - Club Starscream - with Barricade and some others under his command. However after blasting his way past Ruination and Deadlift, Shockwave tells Starscream that Megatron requires his services. Shockwave then sends Starscream to recover the drone called Brains.[5] Starscream fought against the Autobots in Philadelphia and later retreated back to Africa, where he complained to Megatron.

Titan Magazine

In "Twilight's Last Greaming" part 3, Starscream and Scorponok attack the Autobots Arcee, Armorhide, Elita One, Longarm, Skyblast and Strongarm on the moon. The Autobots flee to Earth, which is exactly what Starscream hoped they'd do.

Starscream would return in issue #22 of the Titan Transformers Magazine series in a story called "The Decepticon who Haunted Himself".

Films

In the first film, Starscream rallies the other Decepticons to battle once Frenzy alerts them to the All Spark's location. Starscream destroys the electrical substation that powers Sector 7's base, allowing Megatron to come out of his deep freeze. Upon being reunited with Megatron, Starscream is scolded by his leader for letting the All Spark escape with the humans. In the movie's first battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, he is the first Decepticon to arrive on the scene, ambushing the Autobots when their human allies mistake him for a friendly fighter jet. Starscream fires missiles in Raptor form at Bumblebee and Ironhide, destroying the former's legs and injuring the latter. In robot form he stops Sam Witwicky from fleeing with the All Spark, disabling both Ironhide and Ratchet in the process; however, even though he has the opportunity, he does not take the All Spark with him. When Sam is about to hand off the All Spark to a Black Hawk crewman, Starscream shoots down the helicopter. When an airstrike has been called in on Megatron and Blackout, Starscream conceals himself among the attacking jets. He destroys three of them, but retreats after the F-22 pilots engage him, allowing the jets to complete their mission. An interlude during the end credits shows Starscream leaving Earth's atmosphere. He can be heard speaking in Cybertronian, though his words are not subtitled.

In the second film, Starscream is first seen aboard the Nemesis shipwreck and is confronted by a returning Megatron, angry that Starscream left him to die. He tells Megatron he left to spawn a new army, and needed to take command during Megatron's absence. After a couple of the Cybertronian protoforms in the Nemesis die prematurely, Starscream reveals that they have nearly run out of energon, the secondary source of life. Later in the film, when Grindor brings Sam, Mikaela and Leo and drops them into an abandoned warehouse, Starscream intimidates the protagonists by cutting open their car and seems to spit on Sam before Megatron confronts Sam himself. As Optimus Prime and Bumblebee arrive, Starscream battles Bumblebee for a short time before confronting Optimus. Overwhelmed by Prime, Starscream retreats. He and Grindor arrive at a nearby forest in response to Megatron's call as he chases after Sam but fails. When Megatron is temporarily out of the battle, Starscream battles Optimus again, but is still no match. Optimus chops off Starscream's arm and kills Grindor. Starscream and Megatron escape after Autobot reinforcements arrive. He reattaches his arm easily as he and Megatron have a quick meeting atop the Metlife Building in Manhattan, New York, where Megatron is furious at their failure to capture Sam. Later in the film, Starscream finds Sam and the others, opening fire on Bumblebee, Skids, and Mudflap, but fails to hit his target. He reports to Megatron that the soldiers have brought Prime's body; with Megatron realizing that Sam has the Matrix, he tells Starscream that Sam must not reach Optimus, and then orders the Decepticon assault. Starscream is later seen in Egypt with the other Decepticons hunting for Sam. He finds Sam and Mikaela, but they escape. He instructs Rampage to spring a trap when Sam and Mikaela get close, which results in the demise of Rampage and Ravage by Bumblebee. Once the Fallen is killed by Optimus, Starscream convinces Megatron the battle is lost and retreating is their only option.

In the third film, Starscream first appears assisting Megatron as the latter recuperates from his injuries at Decepticon High Command in Africa. Starscream is later seen in Washington D.C., along with Megatron and Sentinel Prime, complimenting Megatron on his brilliance. At the point when the Xantium departs Earth Starscream, having laid in wait, swoops in and destroys the ship. He then attacks the V22 Ospreys holding William Lennox's team as they try to enter Chicago. Although he destroys most of the Ospreys, Lennox and other soldiers jump to safety. In his final scene of the film, Starscream attacks Robert Epps' team, during which he corners Sam and Carly, intending to kill them. Sam fires a grappling hook into Starscream's eye, causing him to flail about in attempts to remove it, while Sam is unable to release the line. Starscream attempts to flee, but his boosters are malfunctioning. Lennox's team arrives, and Starscream fires upon the soldiers but misses due to his erratic flailing and partial blindness. At this point Sam stabs a "boomstick" Wheeljack gave him into Starscream's other eye. With the Decepticon blinded, Lennox attempts to free the dangling Sam. However Starscream makes it to the top of a nearby building, pulling Sam and Lennox with him. The grappling hook finally cuts loose - dropping Sam and Lennox to safety - and a moment later the boomstick detonates, killing Starscream.

Games

Starscream is a playable character in the video game, with a white and red 'G1 Repaint' unlockable after the player completes the Decepticon campaign. He would appear as a boss alongside with Blackout in the Autobot campaign, where he is seemingly killed by Jazz. In the Decepticon campaign he is playable, and is also featured in many cutscenes and communications. Starscream's color is the same as the jet's in the movie and the video game's cutscenes, but when Starscream is controlled by the player or the computer, his skin turns green.

In the Nintendo DS Transformers: Decepticons game, Starscream would kill Barricade and Blackout, and perhaps Brawl, who simply disappears after killing Ironhide, steal the Allspark and betray Megatron. Starscream is fought by Megatron as the final boss after he is heavily damaged and loses the AllSpark to Create-A-Bot. After being defeated, Megatron kills him for being a traitor, as well as Create-A-Bot for being weak. In the Autobots version he is a simple boss who ambushes Ironhide and the Autobot Create-A-Bot in the Arctic but retreats after a long battle and does not reappear or heard of again.

Starscream is among the playable characters in the 2009 Revenge of the Fallen video game by Activision. In the Decepticon campaign he kidnapped Theodore Galloway to learn the location of the Allspark shard, attacked the naval fleet guarding Megatron's body while he was being revived, and destroyed a museum while trying to kill Sam. In the Autobot campaign he appears at the building Sam was held in, attacking Optimus Prime but being forced to retreat, and later reappeared to help Megatron fight Optimus and Jetfire, only to be defeated again and retreat. There was also an unlockable skin for Starscream in which players could choose to play in his original G1 colours.

In the Nintendo DS game, Revenge of the Fallen: Decepticons, Starscream was the temporary leader of the Decepticons until Fallen forces him to revive Megatron. In the end he swore one day he would be the permanent leader of the Decepticons.

Starscream appears in the 2011 Dark of the Moon video game.[6]

Starscream is among the characters who appear in the TRANSFORMERS CVBERVERSE Battle Builder Game.[7]

Toys

  • Transformers Deluxe Preview Protoform Starscream (2007)
The first Starscream figure to be released, which represents his Protoform mode.
  • Transformers Deluxe Preview Protoform Fusion Cluster Starscream (2007)
This Japan exclusive version of Protoform Starscream is molded in orange and black, while his limbs and tail are molded in transparent orange. In Entry mode, he appears to be glowing orange from entering Earth's atmosphere.[8]
  • Transformers Legends Starscream (2007)
A Micro class vehicle of Starscream.
With a real F-22 measuring 1890 centimeters long, and this toy measuring 8.5 centimeters, this toy is about 1:222 scale.
  • Transformers Legends Stealth Starscream (2008)
A redeco of Movie Legends Starscream. Also available in a 2-pack with Nightwatch Optimus Prime.[9]
  • Transformers Fast Action Battlers Battle Blade Starscream (2007)
A Deluxe sized figure with simple transformation for younger children. The figure converts from robot mode to F-22 Raptor jet mode and features a flip-out arm blade. In vehicle mode it is 15 centimeters long. Since a real F-22 is 1890 centimeters long this toy has a scale of about 1:126 scale.
Also released in a redeco as Ramjet.[10]
With a real F-22 measuring 1890 centimeters long, and this toy measuring 17.5 centimeters, this toy is about 1:108 scale.
  • Transformers Voyager Starscream (2007)
Featuring Automorph technology, this toy transforms into an F-22 Raptor and fires projectiles through his spinning arm turrets(the spinning arm turrets cannot transform into hands). In vehicle mode, he is 21 centimeters long. Since a real F-22 is 1890 centimeters long, this toy has a scale of about 1:90 scale and Starscream would stand about 55 feet (17 m) tall.
A repaint of this figure was released as Thundercracker.
  • Transformers Voyager Starscream redeco (2007)
A Target exclusive repaint of Voyager Starscream, showing his new form after the events of Transformers Movie. Supposedly, he changed his color scheme into a Generation One scheme to hide from the Autobots. In addition to the repaint, this toy features a head design made to resemble the original G1 head.
Also repainted as Skywarp and Ramjet in the 2009 Revenge of the Fallen toy line.
  • Transformers Voyager Starscream (Toshiba Vardia Red Version) (2007)
A Japan-only release, this red repaint of Starscream was part of Toshiba's "HD DVD Transform" campaign, where it was included with the purchase of a Toshiba Vardia RD-A301 HD DVD Recorder.[11]
  • Transformers Voyager Deep Space Starscream (2008)
A Target exclusive metallic redeco of movie Voyager Starscream. Packaged in robot mode in a clear plastic box similar to that used for Robo-Vision Optimus Prime.[12]
  • Revenge of the Fallen Legends Starscream (2009)
A redeco of the 2007 movie Legends figure.[13]
  • Revenge of the Fallen Fast Action Battlers Sword Slash Starscream (2009)
A redeco of the 2007 movie Fast Action Battlers figure.[14]
  • Revenge of the Fallen Gravity Bots Starscream (2009)
A toy jet that instantly transforms into robot mode when tilted upward.[15]
  • Revenge of the Fallen Voyager Starscream (2009)
A new Voyager class mold first appeared on the internet in January of 2008. Although similar in size to the first movie's Voyager mold, the new toy features better proportions in jet mode, arms with hands, improved articulation, a more film accurate head, and "Mechalive" features which make gears in the chest move when you turn the head. The paint sceme is similar to the first film, but with Cybertronian 'tattoos' which he placed on his body on Mars after returning from Cybertron in the IDW comics.
The toy is 21.5 centimeters long in jet mode, 16 centimeters tall as a robot. With the real F-22 reaching 1890 centimeters long the toy is 1:88 scale. It would also imply Starscream stands 1408 centimeters (46.2 feet) tall as a robot.
  • Revenge of the Fallen Voyager Nebular Starscream (2009)
A Kmart exclusive redeco of Voyager Starscream with teal-colored tattoos. Packaged in Robot mode.[16]
  • Revenge of the Fallen N.E.S.T. Battle Pack Legends Starscream (2009)
A black redeco of the Legends figure bundled with Legends Autobot Smokescreen.[17]
  • Transformers Leader Starscream (2010)
An all-new Leader Class figure of Starscream, featuring light and sound effects, a moving jaw, a hidden gatling gun in his right arm and hidden (nonfiring) missiles in his left. He also features a removable missile launcher with two missiles, all of which can be stored on his back. The figure says either "Decepticons will crush the Autobots!" and "No one can defeat Starscream!" or just "Decepticons!" and "Starscream!" depending on whether it is the American or Multilingual version.[18]
  • Transformers Activators Starscream (2010)
A Deluxe-sized toy designed for younger children that features instant transformation at the push of a button. This sub-line replaces both the Fast Action Battlers and Gravity Bots from the movie toy lines.[19]
  • Transformers Starscream's Assault Voyager Starscream
A Walmart exclusive white redeco of the 2009 Voyager figure, bundled with a white/red redeco of Deluxe Mudflap.[20]
  • Transformers The Victory of The Fallen Legends Starscream
A silver redeco of the Legends Starscream figure bundled with other Legends figures of The Fallen, Megatron, Optimus Prime and Jetfire.[21]
  • Masterpiece MP-M01 Starscream
On July 2010, Takara Tomy announced that the Leader Class Starscream figure from the 2010 toy line will be released in Japan as part of the Masterpiece series. This version will have regular F-22 flight camouflage instead of the tattoos on the Hasbro version.[22]
  • Transformers Leader Starscream (not released yet)
A recolor of Transformers Leader Starscream in Generaton 1 colors. An Asia exclusive.[23]

References

  1. Kirtland Air Force Base pilot's icy stare earned him a spot in `Transformers' movie
  2. Dean Foster, Alan; David Cian (2007). Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday. Del Ray. p. 286. ISBN 978-0-345-49798-7. 
  3. Comics Continuum
  4. From the Tip: Rain of Starscream Part Deux
  5. John Barber (w), Carlos Magno (p), Aburtov and Graphiksslava (i). Transformers: Rising Storm 1 (February 2011), IDW Publishing
  6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6jzNjUyYGQ&feature=player_embedded
  7. http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=E4651B16-5056-900B-1074-AA6D591357D5:en_US
  8. TFKenkon.com - Movie Deluxe Preview Protoform Fusion Cluster Starscream
  9. Movie Legends Battle Packs - Nightwatch Optimus Prime Vs. Stealth Starscream - Transformers Movie 2007 Movie Legends at BigBadToyStore
  10. ramj.jpg
  11. TF Movie Starscream Vardia Red Model - Transformers Toys News Reviews - TFormers.com
  12. Target Exclusive Transformers Movie Deep Space Starscream - TFW2005 - The 2005 Boards
  13. TFW2005.com - Legends Starscream
  14. TFW2005.com - Starscream (Fast Action Battlers)
  15. TFW2005.com - Starscream (Gravity Bots)
  16. TFW2005.com - ROTF Voyager Class Nebular Starscream Revealed
  17. TFW2005.com - Legends Starscream Two-Pack
  18. TFW2005.com - Revenge of the Fallen Leader Starscream Robot Mode Gallery
  19. TFW2005.com - Official Images of Hunt for the Decepticons Activators Wave 2 - Ironhide and Starscream
  20. TFW2005.com - Walmart Update - Official Images of Upcoming Transformers Figures
  21. TFW2005.com - Legends Starscream (The Victory of The Fallen)
  22. TFW2005.com - MP-M01 Masterpiece Movie Starscream Official Imagery
  23. http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-generations-classics-30-35/transformers-generations--movie-series-asia-exclusives-174569/

External links