Transformers: The Evolution of Optimus Prime
The iconic casting tradition for Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise is being challenged after 37 years. Find out how the upcoming movie, Transformers One, is breaking the mold with a new actor stepping into the role. Learn about the reasons behind this surprising casting decision and the impact it may have on the beloved character.
A Tradition Reimagined
The next installment in the Transformers movie franchise, the animated Transformers One, is breaking an Optimus Prime casting tradition after 37 years. Directed by Toy Story 4’s Josh Cooley, Transformers One will explore the origins of Cybertron and chart how Optimus Prime and Megatron went from being close friends to being mortal enemies. The Transformers franchise arguably belongs in animation. The live-action movies have struggled to depict the Autobots and Decepticons in a way that isn’t hideous, but they always look great in cartoon form.
Optimus Prime in Transformers The Movie
The star-studded voice cast of Transformers One features such A-listers as Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron, Keegan-Michael Key as Bumblebee, Scarlett Johansson as Elita-One, Jon Hamm as Sentinel Prime, and Laurence Fishburne as Alpha Trion. For the role of Optimus Prime, instead of bringing back veteran voice actor Peter Cullen, Transformers One has recast with an entirely new actor. This will mark the first time since 1986’s The Transformers: The Movie that Cullen is not voicing Optimus, so the new actor has some pretty big boots to fill.
Chris Hemsworth staring into the camera in Thor: Love and Thunder.
The Legacy of Peter Cullen
Peter Cullen has voiced Optimus Prime since the original 1980s cartoon series. He has since reprised his role in five subsequent Transformers animated series (plus appearances in the 2014 Kids’ Choice Awards and The Toys That Made Us), 13 video games (12 official Transformers games as well as an appearance in Fortnite), and the theme park ride Transformers: The Ride 3D at Universal Studios. Cullen has also played Optimus in the animated The Transformers: The Movie and all the live-action Transformers movies, from Michael Bay’s 2007 original to the most recent entry, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
It’s impossible to imagine anyone besides Cullen playing the role of Optimus. He brings all the necessary gravitas and dramatic weight to the gallant leader of the Autobots. Cullen’s voice is inextricably tied to the role; it’s as recognizable as his blue crown or his red chest. But Transformers One isn’t bringing back Cullen to play Optimus, making it the first Transformers movie to do so. Instead, the role will be played by Chris Hemsworth, best known as Thor from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Surprising Casting Decision
It would seem like a no-brainer to bring back Cullen to reprise his role as Optimus Prime in Transformers One, like getting J.K. Simmons to play J. Jonah Jameson. But the casting team has instead given the role to Hemsworth. This is likely because Hemsworth is a bigger star than Cullen, so his name will lend some marquee value to the film’s marketing. But Hemsworth’s performance likely won’t be as strong as Cullen’s. Unlike Cullen, Hemsworth isn’t a voice actor by trade, so he might not do the character justice.
