Five minutes with...

As we celebrate TRANSFORMERS WEEK and the 40th anniversary of the legendary franchise, we check in with David Soop , Manager Global Franchise Strategy - Action Brands at Hasbro .

From his favorite bots to unexpected collaborations and more, David shares what makes working on the TRANSFORMERS brand so special. ??

What's?the best part of working on the TRANSFORMERS franchise?

“For me,?it’s?all about the variety of projects we get to work on, from?schematics to animatics,?every day brings something new!?I often compare my?role to being the drummer in a band—providing that rhythm that helps everyone else sound better.?

We’re?building?a?brand?sandbox for some incredibly passionate?teams and?creators?to play in!”

How do you collaborate with Hasbro’s Toy team to ensure everything stays true to brand?

“We work super closely with the Toy team. Their insights and?expertise?are what help us engage with fans on a deeper level.?We’re?always?syncing?up timelines between the toy releases and our media content, so everything feels cohesive.?Deep brainstorming?and planning?sessions with both teams are a big part of what makes this collaboration work so well.”

What has been the most memorable moment in TRANSFORMERS history for you????

“One of the coolest moments?was in last year’s film RISE OF THE BEASTS,?when Mirage?in vehicle mode?turns the tables on carjacking Noah?and traps him inside! It results in a high speed and hilarious car chase?that?is the perfect introduction of Mirage as a character.?

As for?delightfully?weird moments,?you?can’t?get weirder than Weird Al’s?song “Dare?To?Be Stupid”?accompanying?the 1986’s movie chase scene on?Junkion.”??

What's been?the most unexpected TRANSFORMERS collaboration to work on????

“The Jurassic Park?x Transformers?collaboration was a delightful surprise!?Seeing?a?Dilophocon?bot and?Autobot?JP12 with the shaving cream cannister?was such an iconic mash?up!?

And of course, the integration of GI Joe into the TRANSFORMERS comics?with Skybound Entertainment's Energon?Universe; how?these?casts?of?characters first?interacted?was a?big, unexpected moment!”??

What is your favorite hidden reference in the TRANSFORMERS universe????

“There are a ton of Easter eggs scattered throughout TRANSFORMERS ONE, the new fully CG-animated film from Hasbro Entertainment and Paramount Pictures that hits theatres this week.

But one of my favorites is in the upcoming game?Transformers: Galactic Trials, from our partners at Outright Games .?There’s?a?cosmetic?nod to an old G1 episode where the characters?change colors temporarily.?It’s?a fun little detail for longtime fans to catch.”

Do you have a favorite fan theory about TRANSFORMERS?

“The whole debate on whether Transformers would take out life insurance or auto insurance if they lived among us really cracks me up.?It’s?such a wild idea but makes you think about how these bots would integrate into our society.”?

If you could choose any real-world vehicle to?convert?into a?bot, what would it be????

“I’d?go with the Reliant Robin, the quirky three-wheeled car from the 1970s.?It’s?just so unique, and I think it would make a great bot. Plus,?it’s?a great conversation?starter—people?might ask, “Why that car?” and?I’d?just say, “Why not?””?

If you could be best friends with any Transformers bot, who would it be and why????

“Definitely Beachcomber.?He’s?compassionate, loves animals, and?let’s?be honest—his alt mode is a dune buggy! That just screams laid-back afternoons on the beach.?He’s?the kind of bot?who’d?be perfect for a chill day of cruising along the shore.”?

What's?one thing you think fans will love most when they see TRANSFORMERS ONE????

“Fans are going to love the?dynamic?way alt modes are used in?the action sequences.?Plus, the origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron is going to blow people away.?It’s?a deep dive?exploring how they went from?best?friends to sworn enemies.”??

??? Get tickets here: https://www.transformersmovie.com/