Is SS86 Megatron Going to Be a Fallen Retool? A Deep Dive into the Speculation

The Transformers fandom has been buzzing with anticipation and speculation about the upcoming Studio Series 86 (SS86) Megatron figure, particularly around one burning question: is SS86 Megatron going to be a Fallen retool? This query has sparked heated discussions across forums, Reddit threads, and social media platforms, as collectors and enthusiasts try to piece together clues about this highly anticipated figure. In this article, we’ll explore the origins of this speculation, analyze the evidence, and provide a comprehensive look at whether SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool or a brand-new mold designed to capture the essence of the iconic Decepticon leader from the 1986 animated Transformers: The Movie. Let’s dive into the details with a clear, engaging, and well-researched perspective.

The Studio Series 86 Line: Setting the Stage

The Studio Series 86 line is celebrated for its dedication to recreating characters from the 1986 Transformers: The Movie with unparalleled cartoon accuracy. Figures like SS86 Optimus Prime have set a high standard, boasting intricate engineering and designs that closely mirror their on-screen counterparts. Naturally, fans have high expectations for SS86 Megatron, the Decepticon leader and Optimus Prime’s archenemy. The question of whether SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool stems from the release of Age of the Primes (AOTP) Megatronus, also known as The Fallen, a Leader Class figure with a tank alternate mode. This has led some to speculate that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool due to shared characteristics and Hasbro’s history of reusing molds to save costs.

Who Is Megatronus (The Fallen)?

To understand why fans are asking is SS86 Megatron going to be a Fallen retool, we need to look at Megatronus, or The Fallen, a character with deep roots in Transformers lore. Megatronus is one of the original Thirteen Primes created by Primus, who betrayed his creator by siding with Unicron. In the Age of the Primes toyline, Megatronus is depicted as a Leader Class figure with a tank alternate mode, a design choice that aligns with modern toy safety regulations that discourage realistic gun modes, like Megatron’s classic Walther P38 pistol. The similarities between Megatronus’s tank mode and the expected tank mode for SS86 Megatron have fueled speculation that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool.

Why the Retool Speculation?

The speculation about whether SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool originates from several factors:

1. Shared Transformation Schemes: Both Megatronus and SS86 Megatron are expected to transform into tanks, a departure from Megatron’s traditional gun mode due to toy safety laws. Fans have noted similarities in the cannon design and tank treads, suggesting that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool with shared engineering.
2. Hasbro’s Cost-Saving Practices: Hasbro frequently reuses molds to reduce production costs, as seen with figures like Siege Springer being retooled into SS86 Leader Springer. This precedent has led fans to wonder if SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool to leverage the existing Megatronus mold.
3. Timing and Release Patterns: The release of AOTP Megatronus before SS86 Megatron has sparked theories that Megatronus is a “pretool” for SS86 Megatron. Some fans even suggest that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool because Hasbro may have designed the SS86 figure first and then adapted it for The Fallen.
4. Physical Similarities: Early leaks and teases of SS86 Megatron, such as those posted on Reddit and TFW2005, show a Leader Class figure with a tank mode and a fusion cannon that resembles Megatronus’s design. This has intensified speculation that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool.

Evidence Against a Fallen Retool

Despite the buzz, there’s substantial evidence suggesting that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool may not be accurate. Here’s why:

• Official Statements and Leaks: According to posts on TFW2005 and Reddit, insiders like Prime vs Prime have stated that SS86 Megatron is a “completely brand new” mold, with no shared parts from Megatronus. The robot mode is described as “everything you would want from his G1 design,” with minimal tank kibble, indicating a fresh approach rather than a retool.
• Scale and Proportions: Fans have pointed out that Megatronus is significantly larger than the scale needed to match SS86 Optimus Prime, as the 1986 movie depicts the two as roughly equal in size. If SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool, it would require significant reengineering to adjust the scale, potentially negating the cost-saving benefits of a retool.
• Design Philosophy: The SS86 line prioritizes cartoon accuracy, and Megatron’s iconic G1 robot mode—complete with a gun barrel on the back and a sleek, grey aesthetic—demands a tailored design. Retooling Megatronus, whose design is inspired by a different continuity, might compromise this accuracy, making it unlikely that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool.
• Fan Expectations: The Transformers community has been vocal about wanting a definitive G1 Megatron that rivals SS86 Optimus Prime. Hasbro is aware of this demand, and creating a figure that feels like a rehash of Megatronus could disappoint fans, suggesting that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool is not the direction Hasbro is taking.

The Tank Mode Controversy

One of the biggest points of contention in the debate over whether SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool is the tank alternate mode. In the 1986 movie, Megatron transforms into a Walther P38 pistol, but modern toy regulations make this impractical. As a result, Hasbro has confirmed that SS86 Megatron will transform into a tank, similar to the Transformers: Devastation game. This has led some to believe that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool because Megatronus also transforms into a tank. However, fans on Reddit have expressed mixed feelings about the tank mode, with some hoping for a unique design that avoids the “tread backpack” seen in previous tank-mode Megatrons like Siege and Earthrise.

To address the gun mode issue, SS86 Megatron includes a small-scale Walther P38 accessory that other figures can wield, a nod to the 1986 movie. This accessory, combined with the tank mode’s clever engineering—such as treads folding into the legs to mimic the pistol grip—suggests that Hasbro is prioritizing innovation over retooling. Therefore, it’s less likely that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool and more probable that it’s a standalone design.

Community Sentiment and Speculation

The Transformers community is divided on whether SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool. On Reddit, posts like those from u/Electronic_Zombie360 and u/TheGreatPotato34 highlight excitement for a new mold, with comments like, “They told the truth when they said not a Megatronus retool.” Conversely, X posts from users like @baltmatrix suggest that SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool due to visual similarities. This divide reflects the community’s passion for accuracy and their wariness of cost-cutting measures that might dilute the figure’s quality.

Hasbro’s Track Record with Retools

Hasbro’s history of retooling provides context for the question, is SS86 Megatron going to be a Fallen retool? While retools are common—such as the Siege Megatron mold being reused for Earthrise—SS86 figures tend to receive unique molds to ensure movie accuracy. For example, SS86 Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus are original designs, not retools of previous figures. This trend suggests that Hasbro may avoid retooling Megatronus for SS86 Megatron, as it could compromise the figure’s fidelity to the 1986 movie.

What Fans Want from SS86 Megatron

Regardless of whether SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool, fans have clear expectations:

• Cartoon-Accurate Robot Mode: A sleek, grey design with a fusion cannon, back-mounted gun barrel, and minimal tank kibble.
• Functional Tank Mode: A cohesive tank design that hides robot parts, unlike the Siege mold’s visible treads.
• Accessories: The inclusion of the Walther P38 accessory, an energon mace, and possibly a sword from the movie.
• Scale: A figure that matches SS86 Optimus Prime in height and presence.

If SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool, it would need extensive modifications to meet these expectations, which could make a new mold more practical.

Conclusion

After deep research and analysis, the question is SS86 Megatron going to be a Fallen retool leans heavily toward “no.” While early speculation was fueled by Megatronus’s tank mode and Hasbro’s retooling practices, credible leaks and community insights suggest that SS86 Megatron is a brand-new mold designed to capture the Decepticon leader’s G1 glory. The figure’s clean robot mode, innovative tank design, and movie-accurate accessories indicate that Hasbro is prioritizing quality over cost-saving measures. Whether SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool or not, the final product promises to be a worthy rival to SS86 Optimus Prime, satisfying fans who have waited years for a definitive G1 Megatron.

FAQs

Q: Why do fans think SS86 Megatron is going to be a Fallen retool?
A: Fans speculate this due to the shared tank alternate mode between Megatronus (The Fallen) and SS86 Megatron, as well as Hasbro’s history of retooling molds to save costs.

Q: Is SS86 Megatron confirmed to be a new mold?
A: Yes, leaks from sources like TFW2005 and Prime vs Prime indicate that SS86 Megatron is a completely new mold, not a retool of Megatronus.

Q: Why doesn’t SS86 Megatron transform into a gun?
A: Toy safety regulations prevent realistic gun modes, so Hasbro opted for a tank mode, with a Walther P38 accessory to honor the 1986 movie.

Q: Will SS86 Megatron match SS86 Optimus Prime in scale?
A: Yes, SS86 Megatron is designed as a Leader Class figure to scale with SS86 Optimus Prime, ensuring a movie-accurate rivalry.

Q: What accessories might SS86 Megatron include?
A: Based on leaks, SS86 Megatron includes a Walther P38 accessory, a sword, and possibly an energon mace, though the final accessory list may vary.