We all know that Prime, Bumblebee and the others are going to be in the sequel, however how different do you guys think they are going to look? I ask this because we know Hasbro is probably going to want new models for each character so they can sell new toys. Do you guys think it will be just slight repaints, or do you see complete overhauls for each character?

I hope we see slight changes to each character, but nothing too drastic. I have gotten used to the movie look. What do you guys think?

I don't think the changes will be that extreme. The CGI models were very time consuming and expensive to make and animate, so ILM will have their hands full with new characters. They already have CGI models for Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, and Ironhide, why waste time and money to make all new ones?

As for toys, I'm not sure new molds are needed. Toy production technology is always improving, and with the first movie already done and out of the way Hasbro has more of an idea as to what the robots' final CGI models will look like. That will allow them to simply release more accurate versions of Prime, BB, Ratchet, and Ironhide.

The easiest option is just different size classes for the figures interwoven with redecos of the previous ones. Deluxe Optimus and Megatron, voyager Bumblebee, etc.

I'd say if the Autobots want to remain in disguise they will need new vehicle modes. I'm expecting nothing too drastic though. Probably a trailer for Prime and a few new paint jobs/customizations.

when thinking of what we call "to sell toys", there's a big chance of different looks for the characters.

Just to add to what I said earlier....
I'm looking at my Movie toys now, and really, new designs aren't really needed. Take Ratchet and Starscream. They could essentially feature the same look in TF2. Hasbro could just give SS some real arms, and give Ratchet a make over, maybe giving him a little more paint and some in-Movie accessories (saw, gun). There are plenty of ways to make new toys out of the existing CGI designs.

I may be alone on this thought, but I hope that Hasbro steps in a little more to help with new designs, simply so it's easier for them to translate the designs into more accurate toys.

I agree.

After all, Spiderman's costume was essentially the same for all three movies and they sold plenty of toys (well, perhaps not as many as SM3 as Hasbro would have liked).

I'm sure that there will be some changes to the designs, just to keep them fresh. But probably nothing major. However, I imagine that the toys will be given new molds, or something different. Hasbro surely realizes that Transformers movie toys are going to be in serious demand next time around; I don't think they would want to jeopardize that by repackaging two/three-year-old toys that everyone already has.

I think Bumblebee is most likely to get an overhaul as he is the audience identification character AND he already changed once to be more cutting edge.

A 2007 concept car will be out of date by the time the sequel hits and I think one element of Bumblebee for the films is that he's a "new" car... and GM will probably want newer models showcased somehow as a promotional plug. The other Autobots had more "timeless" looks although perhaps Ratchet will have a fresh deco since he's undercover and ambulances vary from place to place. Prime may ditch the flames for a more subdued look, being undercover as well.

My guess is, however, that most of the designs will be intact in part due to expense.

And I figure that we'll have enough new characters to fill things out that between repaints, toy exclusive characters and new movie characters in the sequel, it will all be fine if the core Autobots get deco changes and BB gets a new mode.

I concur, even if all of the Autobots looke 100% identical to the first movie, they'll still have new molds.