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.

He also isn't a Starscream or a Starscream

"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 must "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 NEVER be found. Some loyal Decepticons, especially Blackout, strongly suspect this and sought to frustrate Starscream's self-serving plans. Barricade buddies up with him, but he does like to trick people. Bonecrusher hates him, but one shouldn't really read too much into that.

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, 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 them attack the Autobots, hoping that Prime would destroy them and be guilt stricken in the process. They 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 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 was 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. During the battle, Optimus, Bumblebee, and the human vessel showed up. Starscream was in a position to terminate Prime, when the humans fired their weapons at Starscream. Seriously damaged, Starscream finished them off a single plasma blast, then retreated. The Autobots figured that Starscream would not risk travelling 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 Earth.

Sector Seven Alternate Reality Game


Starscream (Disguised as a F-15 Eagle fighter jet) 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 has 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 analysed (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 Mars rover.

Splitting up, they head to Earth, where Starscream scans 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 do. He reiterated that their mission is to find the Allspark, to which Blackout reminds him the mission is also to find Megatron. Starscream meekly replies "Yeah, right... him too."

Later, Starscream and Blackout detected the unique radiation of the Allspark and investigate, but Starscream soon realizes 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.

Autobot campaign
Starscream, Blackout, and a pair of Dreadwing drones all take on Jazz during the battle of Mission City. He beats all four of them.

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 went to locate Bonecrusher and Brawl. However, the humans were aware of the three Decepticons, using 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 sounding 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. 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, but beyond that he took no part in the battle. After Megatron absorbed the AllSpark and Earth was decimated, Starscream stood at his master's left side, as the Decepticon leader declared their business on Earth was concluded.

Transformers (2007 film)

 * Voice actor: Charlie Adler (English)



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, he ordered the rest of the Decepticons to move out. The others responded, with Blackout rallying in the name of Megatron.



The first to arrive, Starscream attacked the hydro-electricity power plant attached to the dam to cause havok to Sector Seven's operations and to speed the thawing of Megatron. With Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron eventually broke free of his icy restraints and escaped the facility and met with the waiting Starscream. Upon seeing his long lost master, Starscream vehemently repledged his loyalty to Megatron, if only to avoid being slagged. 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.

During the assault on a nearby city, Starscream fooled Captain Lennox's unit by posing as an F-22 Raptor providing cover. Starscream launched and 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. Besting them, Starscream took to the skies again.



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, while pulling the most impressive Jet Judo routine in 20 years, easily destroyed several of the Raptors before he was fired upon and had to re-assume his disguise to confuse the pilots. He eventually disappeared and was not seen in the closing moments of the battle between Megatron and Optimus Prime.

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

Transformers (2007)

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




 * 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 to 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 colour 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. By pushing his head back during transformation, his shoulder pieces move back into place, while moving them 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.


 * It's also entirely possible for this figure to eventually suffer from GPS, as the bronze plastic it is cast in has the same characteristic swirling that older figures exhibited before it would deteriorate. 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 life span.  This means YOU, kitbashers.


 * This mold was also redecoed into a Japanese-exclusive "Fusion Cluster" version, using orange paint and translucent plastic to mimic the effects of atmospheric entry.


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




 * The Voyager-class version of Movie Starscream transforms into a very inaccurate, though officially-licensed Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet. For reasons unknown, Starscream is a tan/taupe coloring, with rather 'backwards' paint details: on Starscream parts painted gray are metallic on the real F-22, and parts painted silver (such as the edges of his wings) are actually supposed to be gray.


 * However, most Starscream's vehicle mode inaccuracies are down to his very design and structure. He has almost no engine details to speak of, the rear stabilizers are the wrong shape (and of extremely simple sculpt) and his head and feet are blatantly visible. Starscream also almost certainly has the most undercarriage junk of any transformer based on a real-life plane ever made, with his legs creating a large and blocky fuselage section and some huge and very prominent triple-barrel Gatling missile launchers mounted under each wing. Pushing the fighter along a smooth surface causes the 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 the very large Gatling cannons serving as his arms (a facsimile of his much more slender 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 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 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 a missile in the palm of his left hand.


 * Starscream (Legends, 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 articulated and detailing. He's also the bronzest F-22 Raptor Starscream toy there is.


 * Starscream (Voyager, 2007)


 * 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 headsculpt.


 * Allspark Legends (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.

Merchandise

 * 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 was 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 the 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 lacks).  It even has six fingers (or rather, four fingers and two thumbs) on each hand!

Jolibee Free toy

Jolibee's knockoff of legends Starscream

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).


 * 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 (though plausible) and has yet to receive any official confirmation. (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.