The Transformers Onetrailer has launched! As in, it literally launched; the trailer premiered in space earlier this morning with co-leads Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/ Optimus Prime) and Brian Tyree Henry (D-16/Megatron) announcing the release. If you haven’t seen it yet, here you go because I’m about to explain everything you need to know before watching Transformers One onSeptember 20, 2024:
Okay, let’s get started. Transformers One is a prequel in continuity with Bumblebeeand Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. The Optimus Prime you see in the trailer thus, over time, is the Optimus Prime you saw rip out Scourge’s spine. Yes. Process that. Now! Transformers as a franchise has various origin stories, with the most widely canonized one being Optimus Prime as Orion Pax, a data clerk, and Megatron as a gladiator in the pits of Kaon.
Orion Pax and D-16
This trailer, however, introduces a different (possibly earlier?) spin on the two brothers-in-arms turned enemies. In Transformers One, Orion Pax and D-16 (Megatron) begin as miners, become friends, and, together with Bumblebee and Ariel (Elita One), go on an adventure to the surface. There, they meet Alpha Trion, voiced by Laurence Fishburne, who appears to share with them the ability to transform. The following events presumably lead to them becoming Optimus Prime and Megatron by the end.
Heal vs. Dismantle
Why do they become enemies, you ask? It comes down to two warring ideals. In traditional canon, Cybertron has fallen from its golden age into a caste system that, while “efficient,” suffocates their culture. Optimus Prime and Megatron both wish to heal and restore their world. However, Optimus Prime believes the system is broken and needs to be fixed. Megatron believes the system needs to be dismantled. How far does the end justify the means? There’s much to be learned from Transformers lore on multiple levels, so don’t be afraid to take a deep dive and discover what you find.
Optimus Prime
With a stacked cast, phenomenal animation, and what’s shaping up to be spotless comedy, this origin story is on its way to becoming the ride of a lifetime. I’m prepared to laugh, I’m prepared to cry, and I’m prepared to leave with some philosophy to chew on until the next installment in this new Transformers universe debuts. Where will you be on September 20, 2024? I shall be in a seat watching Orion Pax become Optimus Prime. Until All Are One.
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Lizabeth Phoenix is an author, nerd, and queen of fandom rambles. After being introduced to the Uncharted franchise by the world’s biggest Sly Cooper fan, Liza never looked back. She is obsessed with all things George R. R. Martin and Nathan Drake, and can be found most days with her face buried in her laptop working on her novels.
Blown away by how fun this looks. I might actually get over the fact Peter Cullen isn’t voicing Optimus Prime considering how young they are making them to be. But let’s be clear, there’s no way Hemsworth’s voice turns in to Cullen’s in like 20 years. lol
Peter Cullen will always be Optimus Prime, hands down. I do think its neat they can subtextually explore how long its been between origin story and Rise of the Beasts because I *think* Optimus Prime is 9 million years old at present, and its interesting to think about how much he changed between origin and ROTB. Roman Empire stuff right there!
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Blown away by how fun this looks. I might actually get over the fact Peter Cullen isn’t voicing Optimus Prime considering how young they are making them to be. But let’s be clear, there’s no way Hemsworth’s voice turns in to Cullen’s in like 20 years. lol
Peter Cullen will always be Optimus Prime, hands down. I do think its neat they can subtextually explore how long its been between origin story and Rise of the Beasts because I *think* Optimus Prime is 9 million years old at present, and its interesting to think about how much he changed between origin and ROTB. Roman Empire stuff right there!
Good point. I never considered how old they would be if you took into account beast wars and, in general, how they age vs. humans.
It’s such an interesting concept and I’m looking forward to how they explore that regarding Cybertron, as well.