A revised scripted is available for this episode, which can be read in full at the Sunbow and Marvel Productions Script/Storyboard Archive. The original script was written by Donald F. Glut on 07/27/1984, whilst Ron Friedman's revised script is dated 08/01/1984. This script is then dated as "FINAL" with a date of 08/13/84.

Unfortunately Ron used a pretty thick marker pen to cross out bits he changed, so it's often hard to tell what was there originally.

The title of the script is slightly different: "The Heavy-Metal War" rather than "Heavy Metal War".

This script is the first to have the correct name for Swoop, the script for War of the Dinobots used the temp name of "Wing".

The original name for Scrapper was "Gravedigger", whilst Scavenger was going to be called "Scrounge". A mistake led to one use of Scrounge in the episode however. The cast list also notes that Devastator should be six voices speaking together at once, but in the episode itself this doesn't happen. His voice was provided by a single voice actor: Arthur Burghardt.

ACT 1

The narrator was meant to have some dialogue during the episode's opening, but it was all cut from the episode.

The script wanted the Constructicons to drive right at the camera here, but the animators went with a side on view for the episode (there is a driving towards the camera shot a few seconds later). The script also wanted the Constructicons to be armed with various weapons, but in the episode they don't have anything like that here, at least not yet.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCRAPPER (VO) Right! No one drives us, stupid human! We are the Constructicons, we drive ourselves!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	FOREMAN They've got the power-converter, too! Help! Police!

In the episode, the camera doesn't pan here, instead it cuts from shot to shot, first showing three Constructicons transforming, then two, then one. There is a note about Long Haul in the script regarding having his cargo vanish, but in the episode the animators cheated a little be having half of his vehicle mode missing on the above shot, so the cargo is never seen at all.

This was cut from the episode, it was scripted to happen after Scrapper drops the foreman.

In the episode, the camera doesn't pull back here.

This was mostly cut from the episode. The long shot did make it into the episode, but everything after that was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON My Constructicons have returned to out temporary base right on schedule.

This line of Starscream's was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCRAPPER All present or accounted for, noble leader...

All of the Constructicons were meant to salute as Scrapper calls out their names, but in the episode, Scrapper himself is the only one who salutes.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (VO) You have the energy-disc components?

The script wanted Scrapper to smile, which isn't something he can do since he doesn't have a mouth. In the episode he doesn't look at the others here either.

This was mostly cut from the episode, you do see the Constructicons working on the machine, but you don't see things like them carrying the machinery around.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Scrapper's invention will give me the power to defeat the Autobots once and for all.

The above scene was cut entirely from the episode. It was scripted to happen before Ironhide uses his sensors to find that Megatron is on the way. Whilst it was cut here, a similar scene would be used in the second season episode "Dinobot Island (Part 1)". Both episodes were written by the same person: Donald F. Glut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SPARKPLUG Can you make out how many, Spike?

The above was all cut from the episode, it was scripted to happen before Cliffjumper uses his glass gas on Megatron.

In the episode, Cliffjumper isn't seen blowing on his knuckles, and whilst he makes a horrified face, the camera doesn't push in.

This was cut from the episode, it was meant to happen after Megatron shatters the glass.

The script wanted Ironhide to fire molten lead at Megatron, but in the episode he appears to fire lasers.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON I have come to talk, not fight, Optimus Prime!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Autobots -- hold your fire!

The above was cut from the episode.

This dialogue was also cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON In which opposing leaders -- you and I, Optimus Prime --may do battle.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Also, it is the law of our native planet...

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (VO) So proceed with the strength-transfer.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON I will win by any means, at any cost -even if it means terminating you, Starscream!

In the episode, Scrapper isn't seen in the shot of the Decepticons falling down.

In the episode, Megatron doesn't raise a fist here, and the camera doesn't push in on him either.

ACT 2

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON I now have the strength of all my Decepticons!

This was cut from the episode. It was meant to happen after Megatron's "have the strength of all my Decepticons" line.

This line was also cut, it was scripted to be said after Megatron says "It won't".

This was also cut. This one was scripted to happen after the Constructicons transform.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME The code specifies a fair battle, Spike. Under those rules, I'm confident I can beat Megatron.

More cut dialogue. This was scripted to happen after Prime's above "Under those rules" line.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Besides, if he does not abide by the rules, Teletraan I will tell us.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME The time for the battle approaches.

Most of these transformation sequences were cut. Out of the above list, only Trailbreaker and Bluestreak are shown fully transforming. Brawn and Prowl transform, but when the shot cuts to them they are mid-transform.

This was all cut from the episode.

Most of this was also cut. The Decepticons are seen flying in, but in the episode you only see Megatron, Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker land, the script also wanted Soundwave, Rumble and Reflector. Everything after this was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME (VO) Defeat, Megatron? But our battle has not yet begun!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON As soon as our respective armies take their places, we shall correct that oversight.

The script wanted Ironhide to have Chip on his shoulder, but in the episode he holds him in front of his chest. Ironhide, Spike and Sparkplug slide down part of the cliff in the episode, whilst the script wanted them to walk down it.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	CHIP It's Earth history, Ironhide -skip it.

In the episode, Laserbeak is sent out, but isn't seen landing on Soundwave's shoulder. The shot of Ironhide setting down Chip was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME One to one combat, Megatron!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Never knew he was... that strong!

In the episode, Sparkplug says "Go, Optimus" before Spike says the above line, something which wasn't in the script.

This was changed a little in the episode. Megatron would still be under fire from Prime's hand blast, but would then reflect it back at Prime. In the episode, however, Megatron is seen firing the null ray himself.

The above sequence was almost all cut from the episode -which is too bad, because it would have had Megatron transform into a jet! It was scripted to happen after the null ray shot. In the episode, after Optimus gets hit by the null ray, it cuts to Megatron punching the ground, creating an earthquake. This was in the script, but the script wanted Megatron to just point at the ground and send out an energy wave.

This sequence was storyboarded, revealing what the Megatron jet fighter would have looked like:

In the episode, Prime doesn't have his gun when he falls.

In the episode, Prime uses two hands to lift the rock, rather than just one.

This line wasn't corrected and, as noted on the previous page, has Scrapper call out the name "Scrounge" instead of Scavenger in the episode.

This was cut from the episode. It was meant to be said as Megatron rockets upwards, with Prime clinging onto him.

ACT 3

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (VO) It is over! Optimus Prime has been defeated -- all Autobots must exile themselves to deeper space!

Almost all of the above was cut, other than the shot of Megatron lowering his cannon. When he does this, only Skywarp and Thundercracker are seen, and they walk into the shot, rather than land behind Megatron.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	IRONHIDE Well, I'm prepared... to knock those Decepti-bums all the way back to Cybertron!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Megatron has beaten me according to Cybertron

In the episode, Optimus says "I'll try" after the above line. This isn't in the script.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	HUFFER Maybe I can help Optimus same some of his strength on the way back.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME (VO) You're a true friend, Huffer.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MIXMASTER (VO) Okay, let's mix up um, ah H2S04 with um, err... with that HCL with, err... I know! I'll combine some of each of the stronger acids...

In the episode, you don't see Teletraan I display any images of the Dinobots.

This was cut from the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCRAPPER For Megatron -- destroy it!

In the episode, Grimlock says the above line before the Dinobots open fire, rather than after.

These lines were cut. They were meant to be said as the Constructicons retreat back through the tunnel.

This was almost entirely cut -there is a shot of a single missile in the episode which was probably meant to be one Swoop fired, but he never appears in the above shot.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SLAG Dinobots no fool around!

In the episode, Swoop doesn't land, as he's already stood there next to the others. Because of this, he doesn't transform in mid-air either.

This was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	HOOK It's bad news, Scrapper! They've brought out the heavy artillery!

The script called for Snarl to blast three Constructicons here, but in the episode, it's just Scrapper who gets hit.

In the episode, Snarl's plates aren't seen glowing.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	IRONHIDE (VO) Our Dino-buddies... we gotta help!

In the episode, the camera pans from Optimus to Ironhide, the script wanted it to pan from Ironhide to Optimus.

The above scene was cut from the episode. It was scripted to happen after Prime's "remember the law" line.

This does make it into the episode, just not in the exact way it was scripted. Ironhide was meant to be watching the fight between the Dinobots and Devastator, viewing it from the hole in the wall. But in the episode, he's stood further in the base, so he doesn't seem to be in view of the outside battle.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	WHEELJACK But I still don't understand where Megatron got enough strength to whip him!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	IRONHIDE Then... then Megatron cheated! And we can ignore the agreement with him! Right, Optimus?

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS That is affirmative. Autobots! The time has come to fight back!

This was cut from the episode, it was scripted to happen after Prime's "fight back!" line.

The script notes that some of the Decepticons should be shown starting to melt when they fall into the lava, but in the episode this isn't seen happening.