Starscream (Movie)


 * Starscream is a Decepticon from the Movie continuity family.



Starscream is all ego, vanity, and self-interest. He will do anything to hang on to power or attain more. Though powerful, he is at heart a schemer, contemptuous of Megatron's reliance on brute force. Starscream believes that lies, manipulation, and deceit are a superior path to power. Some might agree with him, but he's yet to meet any.

"Truly the universe favors those who persist."

- Starscream on himself

Ghosts of Yesterday prequel novel
Starscream had ascended to Decepticon leadership in the absence of their former lord, and though he had to "seem" to carry on the long search for the lost Megatron and the All Spark to keep his position as leader, his greatest hope was that Megatron would NEVER be found. Some loyal Decepticons, especially Blackout, strongly suspected this and sought to frustrate Starscream's self-serving plans. Barricade buddied up with him, but he did like to trick people. Bonecrusher hated him, but one shouldn't really read too much into that. Frenzy and Scorponok's opinions are unknown, but nobody cared what the pets thought.

During a search of an abandoned solar system, the Nemesis came across a vessel that bore a resemblance to Megatron's alternate mode. Starscream went to investigate it, intending to destroy it. After chasing off Bumblebee, he communicated with the creatures aboard the vessel, who called themselves humans. Starscream claimed that his people once lived with the Autobots, and that their treacherous leader, Optimus Prime, started a war for the All Spark. The humans told him of a robotic creature that they had found on their world, and Starscream, recognizing it as Megatron, told them it was an Autobot scout. While communicating with them, he downloaded all the information on their computers, learning that the All Spark was also located on Earth. He offered to help the humans to return to their world if they helped Starscream's group attack the Autobots, hoping that Prime would destroy them and be guilt-stricken in the process. The humans attacked Optimus and Bumblebee, but the two Autobots escaped. After their ship sank into a cavern, Starscream revealed his true nature and abandoned them. As a result, the humans concluded neither faction could be fully trusted. Way to make first contact there, Screamer.

Returning to the battle, he lied to his fellow Decepticons, claiming that the two Autobots were dead and that he'd been unable to communicate with the humans. Blackout, unconvinced with the story, challenged Starscream to single combat. Starscream won, and the Decepticons launched an attack on the Ark. Unfortunately for Starscream, Optimus, Bumblebee and the human vessel showed up. Starscream, fearful of the information that the ship contained, ordered the Decepticons to destroy it. Unfortunately, Starscream experienced a minor mutiny when Bonecrusher and Blackout demanded answers, and even Barricade wanted to know why. As the battle drew to a close, Starscream was in a position to terminate Prime but came under fire from the humans' weapons. Seriously damaged, Starscream finished them off a single plasma blast, then ordered the Decepticons to retreat, despite the advantage they had over the Autobots. The Autobots figured that Starscream would not risk traveling to Earth for fear of losing power, but Prime figured that it was only a matter of time before the desire for vengeance and the lure of the All Spark brought the Decepticons to that world.

Sector Seven Alternate Reality Game


Disguised as an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, Starscream was active on Earth in early 1982, with documented sightings of jets sporting his unique colors on several continents before he was caught on camera transforming to robot mode in California. This sighting (and its subsequent leak) was the direct impetus for Hungry Dragon 1.

This seemingly contradicts Starscream's 2003 arrival on Earth in the Prime Directives prequel comic, though it's possible Starscream simply concealed an earlier visit to Earth because he had no desire for the Decepticons to find Megatron.

Later, during late April/early May of 2007, Sector Seven intercepted two sound clips through Agent Cod3x and another source (currently unknown). Apparently, Starscream wanted to make his presence known and left a message announcing that he would have the All Spark, and that Agent Powers would be the one to hand it over. These messages were somewhat garbled, as they were apparently received over a SETI@home system. So far, only these two "blips" have been analyzed (the second still needing work), but more may come in the near future.

Prime Directives prequel comic


In 2003, Starscream's infiltration team, consisting of Barricade and Blackout, touched down on Mars and destroyed the Beagle 2 Rover. Starscream was disgusted with the rover, but Blackout and Barricade warned that there was an obviously intelligent species nearby, so they would need to be cautious. Starscream agreed, as long as they got to kill something.

Splitting up, they headed to Earth, where Starscream scanned an F-22 Raptor fighter jet being tested by the US Air Force at Nellis Air Force base. He destroyed it, then adopted the vehicle form for himself. Leaving the scene of destruction, he radioed his fellow Decepticons to report in on their hunt for new disguise forms, which they did. He reiterated that their mission was to find the Allspark, to which Blackout responded with a reminder that the mission was also to find Megatron. Starscream dismissively replied, "Yeah, right...him too."

Later, Starscream and Blackout detected the unique radiation of the All Spark and investigated, but Starscream soon realized it was a trap by Sector Seven. Starscream destroyed several AH-64 Apache helicopters while Blackout attacked Sector Seven's bunker and attempted to hack into their mainframe. When the humans severed the connection, the Decepticons broke off from the battle and linked up with Barricade, who was in pursuit of the Autobot Bumblebee.

Transformers (2007 film)

 * Voice actor: Charlie Adler (English), Tadashi Miyazawa (Japan), José Sant'anna (Brazil), Axel Lutter (German)



Starscream was lying in wait at a US air base when covert agent Frenzy reported that the All Spark had been located, along with Megatron, underneath Hoover Dam. Though he had long feared this day would come, Starscream ordered the rest of the Decepticons to mobilize. The others responded, with Blackout rallying in the name of Megatron.



The first to arrive, Starscream attacked the hydroelectric power plant attached to the dam to cause havoc to Sector Seven's operations and to speed the thawing of Megatron. With Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron quickly broke free of his icy restraints and escaped the facility. He almost immediately met with the waiting Starscream, who repledged his loyalty to Megatron. Demanding to know what happened to the All Spark, Megatron was told by his second-in-command that it was now in the possession of the humans. Furious, Megatron berated his lieutenant for yet another failure. What a warm reunion.

During the assault on a nearby city, Starscream fooled Captain Lennox's unit by posing as an F-22 Raptor providing cover. Starscream launched an attack that crippled Bumblebee as Ironhide realized too late who the fighter really was. As ladiesman217 ran with the All Spark, Starscream swooped down, blocking his path, only to be attacked by both Ironhide and Ratchet. After fighting without much effort, but still besting them, Starscream took to the skies again, instead of securing the All Spark from the now-defenseless ladiesman217.



While Megatron attempted to retrieve the All Spark from ladiesman217, Starscream perched on nearby buildings and shot down an Army Blackhawk helicopter when it attempted to help the human evacuate the Cube. Eventually, real F-22 Raptors from the US Air Force arrived, and Starscream disguised himself. Pretending to be a part of their squadron, Starscream surprised the human pilots by transforming in mid-air and, performing the best display of Jet Judo in 20 years, destroyed three of the Raptors before he was fired upon. He transformed back into his disguise and fled, and was not seen in the closing moments of the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron. (Or was he?)

Most of the Decepticons were defeated, and their bodies cast into the deepest part of the ocean. Ultimately, Starscream retreated from Earth to parts&mdash;and with intentions&mdash;unknown.

Titan Magazines
Within seconds of Megatron's defeat, Starscream dubbed himself the new Decepticon leader, with the main problem being that he didn't actually have any troops to lead. To amend this slight impediment, he attacked several of the Earth machines which had been brought to life by the All Spark's energy and removed the energy from their bodies, which he then proceeded to implant into the corpses of Blackout, Barricade and Devastator. With his former comrades reanimated in this rudimentary manner, he directed the shambling husks to attack the Autobots, who were still recovering from their battle that had just finished. While the Autobots eventually destroyed the zombies, Starscream had escaped with several All Spark energy fragments still in his possession.

In an alternate reality where the Decepticons won at Mission City, Starscream is still on Earth serving under Megatron - and takes orders from Dropkick, who's got a higher rank. He's both aware of the moon-based Autobots and ready to join Dreadwing in beating up NATO. Whether he does anything treacherous remains to be seen (but come on, look who we're talking about!).

As of issue 7, he runs the letters page (renamed Star Screams from the original Mech Mail). He hates the letters, the readers, the comic, the editorial team, and probably the baby Jesus but he's still got nothing on Armada Starscream's letter-answering stint. In #8, he revealed he hates the movie because he didn't get enough scenes in it, and is upset not enough people send in fan-art of him. In #9, he revealed he once had an F-15 mode and liked it - he doesn't care if this makes no canonical sense.

Reign of Starscream sequel comic
Starscream will presumably play a large role in the upcoming IDW Movie Sequel comic, where he assumes the role of Decepticon Leader on Earth following Megatron's defeat. He will reportedly "retrieve a fallen comrade, carry out a plan of revenge, and leave the Earth to meet up with a major player in the DECEPTICON army." It's his dream come true!

Autobot campaign
Starscream, Blackout, and a pair of Dreadwing drones all took on Jazz during the battle of Mission City. Jazz beat all four of them. Guess he finally got to fight the big ones.

Decepticon campaign
Starscream coordinated the missions for Blackout and Barricade while hiding in a military base. After receiving information from Barricade that Megatron had been located, Starscream ordered him to proceed to Hoover Dam, while he himself went to locate Bonecrusher and Brawl. However, the humans were aware of the three Decepticons and used drones, weapon platforms, and fighters based on Cybertronian design. Starscream was forced to move back and forth between Bonecrusher and Brawl, rescuing them from human attackers, all to background music far too heroic for someone of Screamer's character. After taking a moment to enjoy the ruin he had made of the base, Starscream proceeded to Hoover Dam. Blackout informed him that the structure was blocking their scans, so Starscream ordered him to tear it down piece by piece to find Megatron and the All Spark. When Megatron emerged, Starscream bowed before his Lord.

At Mission City, Starscream took a moment to ram Optimus Prime during the latter's duel with Megatron, and tried to go head to head with Optimus Prime but was knocked away. After Megatron absorbed the All Spark and Earth was decimated, Starscream stood at his master's left side as the Decepticon leader declared their business on Earth was concluded.

Transformers: Autobots (DS)

 * voice actor: Daniel Ross

While on a mission in the Arctic to find and destroy Megatron and recover the All Spark, Create-A-Bot (Autobot) and Ironhide ran into the air commander during their escape. Making Create-A-Bot run for cover, Ironhide took on Starscream and his lackeys (despite mentioning he's "getting too old for this"). As in the movie, once defeated, Starscream took off into the atmosphere, never to be seen again (until the sequel).

It is interesting to mention that Starscream is the only Decepticon in this version of the game who is not definitively destroyed. (Bonecrusher isn't included, since Prime cut off his head on his way in.)

Starscream's body type appears as Skydive, unlockable with 2500 WiFi Tokens. In the US, this feature is also unlockable by downloading the Transformers preview movie from a Target DS Download Station.

Transformers: Decepticons (DS)

 * voice actor: Daniel Ross

After the disappearance of Megatron nearly a million years ago (yeah, we know), Starscream took over the Decepticons as their high commander. Arriving on Earth, he instructed Create-A-Bot to follow Barricade until he arrived. However, none of the other Decepticons would trust him, and he confided in Create-A-Bot a great number of secrets, including the location of the All Spark and the identity of the lost Decepticon they were retrieving: Megatron. Starscream reasoned that he hid these things because revealing them would lead to a power struggle, but no one bought it except the naive rookie.

Soon, though, the other Decepticons revealed the reason for their lack of faith (which Create-A-Bot found disturbing): Starscream was a treacherous, black-hearted backstabber. Of course, Megaton wasn't much better, since he was a treacherous, black-hearted face-stabber, but at least he let you know where you stood with him. Once the Autobots returned the All Spark to Tranquility, he gave chase after a now-AllSpark-empowered Bumblebee (in the single most frustrating level of the game) until Barricade got in the way.

After threat of execution for treason, Starscream proceeded to show the smaller Decepticon WHY Megatron picked him as his second-in-command: his brute strength and incredible battle strategy. After a severe thrashing, Create-A-Bot arrived with intent to kill. However, Starscream now had the All Spark and was nearly unstoppable. They proceeded to battle over the Casino Strip, where Create-A-Bot took the All Spark from him and smashed it into his chest. Create-A-Bot was knocked back and severely damaged by the blast, but Starscream remained as powerful as ever, perhaps more so now that the All Spark had merged with his body. However, as was quickly proven, Starscreams who receive ungodly power tend to explode, as Megatron found him and proceeded to chase and tear him apart. In his last breath, Starscream spat on Megatron's name, saying there would always be those who would question his power. Megatron simply replied by smashing his face in.

Starscream's body type is available in two forms, the regular Starscream playable in certain missions (unlocked by beating the game) and G1 Starscream, based on the Target exclusive retooling/redeco. The G1 body is unlocked by earning 2500 WiFi tokens, or by downloading the preview movie for the game from a Target DS Download Station.

Transformers: The Game (PSP)
Starscream is featured in a level to free Megatron from his "tomb". In the final level he battles Shockwave over the leadership of the Decepticons back on Cybertron.

Legends Class toys

 * Starscream (Legends Class, 2007)




 * Legends-class Starscream is a highly simplified, low-cost version of Starscream in his F-22 Raptor body. As such, he has a greatly compromised transformation sequence due to the smaller parts count, with limited articulation and detailing. He's also the bronzest F-22 Raptor Starscream toy there is.


 * Battle for the Allspark (Toys'R'Us exclusive multi-pack, 2007)




 * A Toys R Us exclusive, this six-pack of Legends class figures contains unmodified toys of Optimus Prime, Jazz, Bumblebee, Megatron, Starscream and Barricade.


 * Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2008)


 * The previously released Legends-class Starscream toy is redecoed predominantly black and silver, somewhat resembling Generation 1 Skywarp. He comes with a redeco Legends-class Optimus Prime in his Nightwatch color scheme.

Deluxe Class toys

 * Protoform Starscream (Deluxe, 2007)
 * Japanese ID number: MD-05


 * Accessories: Gun with missile and flame attachment


 * Based upon the "Protoform" (Cybertronian) appearances of the Transformers in the movie, Protoform Starscream transforms into his "entry" mode Cybertronic rocket thing. This mode somewhat resembles a Cybertronic spaceship, with a visible bridge between the two dorsal fins.  A flame decoration piece fits onto the back of the "vehicle" over the missile projectile, creating the illusion of a flaming comet's tail . The bottom of the vehicle has small wheels to roll the toy across smooth surfaces.


 * In robot mode, Starscream marginally resembles previous Starscreams, mostly G1 Starscream, with the large turbines on his chest, wings and vents on his legs. Due to his extensive use of ball joints, he has excellent articulation.  Starscream is armed with a spring-loaded missile launcher that fires the previously mentioned projectile cast in the same bronze color as his body. Alternatively, the flame decoration can be fitted onto the end of the barrel.


 * This toy also has an Automorphing feature, as most of the figures in the main line do. Pushing his head back during transformation will move his shoulder pieces back into place, while moving the shoulders forward will make the head pop back up.  While either the missile or the flame can be placed into the gun, the flame can be placed onto the missile, using both at once.  However, in some cases, the flame does not have a snug fit on the missile and falls off easily.  This makes firing the missile rather awkward and makes the gun look extremely goofy.


 * It's also entirely possible that this figure will eventually suffer from GPS, as the bronze plastic it is cast in has the same characteristic swirling exhibited by older figures that rapidly deteriorated. However, newer materials and processes may prevent the toy from ever seeing a single crack form.  It is highly suggested that this toy not be painted or altered in any way to maximize its lifespan.


 * Protoform Starscream Fusion Cluster Edition (C3xHobby Convention exclusive Deluxe, Japan 2007)
 * Accessories: Gun with missile and flame attachment


 * An extensive redeco of the Protoform Starscream mold that was exclusively available at the Japanese C3xHobby Convention in August of 2007, and later offered by e-Hobby in limited quantities. Most of the body is made out of transparent orange plastic, while orange and yellow paint are used on the front end of the "entry" mode, mimicking the heat effects of sudden atmospheric entry.  The flame attachment is made out of clear blue plastic, with the tail end being covered in gold paint.

Voyager Class toys

 * Starscream (Voyager, 2007)
 * Japanese ID number: MD-08


 * Accessories: Six missiles


 * The Voyager-class version of Movie Starscream transforms into an officially-licensed Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet, albeit in beige.


 * Pushing the fighter along a smooth surface causes the missile-launching barrels to rotate and fire their projectiles, which can also be stored in the black flip-up braces on the launchers. During transformation, pushing up upon the canopy fuselage piece activates Starscream's Automorphing gimmick, which pushes panels out of the torso, wings and stabilizers. In robot mode, Starscream is mostly faithful to his movie CGI model, except for being bulkier around his chest, lacking engines on his back and having the very large Gatling cannons serve as his arms (a facsimile of his much slenderer weapons from the movie). Interestingly, his projectile missiles are sculpted to resemble fingers, should users choose keep them loaded while Starscream is in robot mode.


 * This toy was later retooled and redecoed into Movie Thundercracker.


 * Battle damage three-pack (Sam's Club exclusive three-pack, 2007)


 * A three-pack, exclusive to Sam's Club stores, consisting of redecos of Voyager Class Optimus Prime and Deluxe Class Arcee, both with a battle damage deco, and an unchanged Voyager Class Starscream.


 * Starscream (Target exclusive Voyager-sized toy, 2007)
 * Accessories: Six missiles


 * An extensive redeco of Voyager class Starscream available only as a Target exclusive, this version is redecoed in a color scheme based upon Generation 1 Starscream. This version of Starscream shares the retooled version of this mold with Movie Thundercracker, giving Starscream a new, vaguely G1-ish head sculpt. The packaging for this toy explains that Starscream altered his appearance following his escape at the end of the film in order to avoid detection. This is possibly a set-up for the yet-to-be-made sequel.


 * Starscream Vardia Red Model (Toshiba exclusive Voyager-sized toy, 2007)
 * Accessories: Six missiles


 * In a joint venture by Paramount Home Entertainment Japan and electronics giant Toshiba, Starscream Vardia Red Model is an exclusive redeco of Voyager Starscream only available with Toshiba's new Vardia RD-A301 HD DVD recorder. The package also comes with an HD-DVD copy of Transformers, five HD DVD-R and five DVD-R discs.


 * Starscream Vardia Red Model is extremely red, with some gold, a little black and Toshiba Vardia markings on his hull. With the player expected to cost just under 100,000 yen, this may be the most expensive Transformers exclusive to be released in relatively large quantities.


 * Deep Space Starscream (Target exclusive "Premium Series" Voyager, 2008)


 * A Target exclusive, Deep Space Starscream is a redeco of the first version of Voyager class Starscream, based upon the colours used by Industrial Light and Magic on Starscream's CGI model (instead of the totally made up and inaccurate tan colouring on the previous release). As such he is metallic silver with complementary greys in fighter mode, including the 'First Fighter' (FF) squadron markings indicating he is an F-22 Raptor from Langley Air Force Base. In robot mode reveals gold paint inside his chest detailing and red for circuitry detailing.


 * Deep Space Starscream is presented in 'Premium Octagonal' packaging very similar to Robo-Vision Optimus Prime. Even though Hasbro officially considers him as part of the Premium Series, this is not indicated anywhere on the packaging.

Fast Action Battlers

 * Battle Blade Starscream (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
 * Japanese ID number: QC-02




 * Fast Action Battlers "Battle Blade" Starscream transforms into a somewhat superdeformed F-22 Raptor, simplifying the overall design to the point of his feet noticeably sticking out the aft of the fighter, and has a truncated transformation sequence reminiscent of past Transformers such as Generation 1 Jetfire and Cybertron Thundercracker. Rather than having a separate weapon, he only has a claw-like blade that flips over the right hand (hence "Battle Blade") and non-removable missiles in the palms of his hands.


 * This toy was later redecoed as Claw Slash Ramjet. There is a korean fake of this model going around, under the name of "Latent Spider". Fortunately no real spiders have been found latent inside the toy.

Robot Heroes

 * Armored Bumblebee vs. Starscream (2007)


 * Starscream Barrel Roll Blaster (2007)
 * This version of Starscream's altmode turns into not a robot, but a robot fist holding a two-barreled blaster. The guns in this form fire Nerf N-Strike-sized foam missiles.


 * Lunchables "Pocket Transformers" toy prize (2007)


 * Free inside specially marked boxes of Oscar Meyer Lunchables dinners, Starscream is one of six "Pocket Transformers" toy prizes. Molded in green, his tablet unfolds to reveal a picture of his robot mode inside.


 * The Lunchables website code engraved on his back is "MISLEAD."


 * Starscream Micro Flyer (2007)


 * Starscream Burger King free toy (2007)
 * A non-transformable version of Starscream, cast primarily in chalk-grey plastic. It can rotate its arms at the shoulder. The toy's main gimmick, though, is the wheel in his chest. Striking the wheel causes it to advance to the next slot, revealing damage to Starscream's torso. A second tap reveals even more damage. Despite being a free pack-in toy, the figure is surprisingly well molded, having well defined head parts and the twin afterburners on his back that even the Voyager version lacks. It even has six fingers (or rather, four fingers and two thumbs) on each hand!

Trivia

 * The card back of Protoform Starscream's packaging features a him with a completely different, earlier head sculpt. What's more, this head design is featured on his protoform body in IDW's movie prequel comics.


 * His protoform was not the only design to get a new head. The earliest concepts of Starscream's head were more skull-like and oblong in shape. This was, of course, redesigned to look more "like a samurai helmet." Unlike the redesigned head of Megatron, Starscream's earlier face only shows up in ONE piece of media: the book Look and Find Transformers.


 * Starscream seems to be able to fly while out of his jet form, using the F-22's engines on his back. Whether this is his actual robot form or a form between his robot and jet forms isn't known, though it appears the latter is true, as seen when he attacks the other F-22s (see picture above).


 * On-screen in the actual movie, Starscream has only one short conversation with Megatron and a total screen time of less than 10 minutes.


 * It has been suggested that, following his attack on the F-22 squadron over the city, Starscream was able to hide among the survivors and take part in the attack on Megatron shortly thereafter. This theory is speculative; while it fits the character of the G1 Starscream from the '80s, there is nothing actually on the screen to suggest it. (Roberto Orci was asked, but refused to give a definite answer.)


 * The Sector Seven online ARG used the "Masterpiece" version of Generation 1 Starscream to represent the "real" Starscream who had infiltrated Earth. A lot of Generation 1 cameos were made in this manner. Make of that what you will.


 * Even though Starscream has only two lines of dialogue, José Sant'anna, who played the G1 character in the Brazilian dub of the original cartoon, was re-cast to play the role in the movie. However, his voice was so heavily modulated that only someone with a really good ear could recognize him. Go figure.


 * Speaking of two dialogues, most of his lines are Cybertronian. He begins his role with speaking Cybertronian ("This is Starscream. All Decepticons mobilize") and ends with saying another Cybertronian line that isn't subtitled. Of course, he could have been talking to himself (as he does when he reaches Sector Seven) or even cursing, but it is also possible that he was summoning some Decepticons to the Earth, just like Optimus does to Autobots. This leaves doubts about what will happen in the sequel.