Cartoon Network, Hasbro Team for Transformers TV Series

ATLANTA, June 25: Cartoon Network and Hasbro are working
together to jointly develop Transformers Animated, a new 2-D animated series scheduled to premiere in the U.S. in 2008.

The development deal comes ahead of the release of the
live-action theatrical Transformers film
on July 3 by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures. Co-produced by Cartoon
Network Studios, the new television series will consist of 26 half-hour
episodes, as well as a 90-minute special that will air in early 2008. Hasbro
and HPG, its licensing division, will expand the Transformers
Animated series through toys, games,
licensed merchandise and promotions around the world. The show will be produced
by Cartoon Network Studios.

Set on Earth in the near future in Detroit, Transformers
Animated is centered on alien Transformers
that are thrust into a world populated by
humans and automatons. As visitors to Earth, the Transformers—Optimus
Prime, Bumblebee, Prowl, Bulkhead and Ratchet—work in the human world,
interacting with the 'natives' in exciting and humorous ways. Each episode of
the new series presents a standalone story line featuring everyday heroes who
do good deeds that triumph over evil.

Matt Youngberg (Teen Titans, The Batman) is the
supervising director, Derrick Wyatt (Teen Titans) will provide the character designs and Sam Register
(Ben 10, Teen Titans) will serve as executive producer of the series.
Marty Isenberg (Danny Phantom, X-Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) serves as the head writer.

"Transformers is
a tried and true draw for our core audience," said Bob Higgins, the senior
VP of programming and development at Cartoon Network. "Kids love the
surprise of 'More Than Meets the Eye,' combined with dynamic, clearly defined
characters and epic storylines. We are thrilled to be working with Hasbro to
help re-imagine this amazing franchise for a new generation of fans."