TRANSFORMERS ONE TRAILER, RELEASE DATE, CAST & NEWS TO KNOW

Fans are finally being treated to the first look at the upcoming animated movie Transformers One. Set on Cybertron in the distant past, the movie follows Orion Pax, D-16 and B-127 before they become Optimus Prime, Megatron and Bumblebee. A seeming fresh start for the franchise on the big screen, it's also the first theatrically-released animated film within the brand in nearly four decades.

As the latest animated release from Paramount, the movie is set to radically change how moviegoers see their favorite Transformers. Combining science fiction action with humor, the movie features the classic robots in disguise like they've never been seen before. Now, with the first trailer and action figure images being released for the film, fans can get a closer feel about how Transformers One will handle the Hasbro franchise.

Transformers One Trailer Breakdown

The trailer for Transformers One begins with Orion Pax and D-16, who are reprimanded by a superior for something that they did. Their punishment sees them become acquainted with B-127, who's trying to come up with snazzier names beyond his numerical designation. Through several misadventures in Cybertron's underground area, they also meet the female Cybertronian Elita-1, all while wondering about and fearing what takes place on the planet's surface. Upon proving themselves worthy, they're gifted with what appear to be transformation cogs by Alpha Trion, allowing them to finally transform for the first time into alternate modes.

Unfortunately, their path on the surface of Cybertron doesn't appear to be an easy one. They're met by new threats, some of which may be other Transformers. Other Cybertronians such as Starscream, Shockwave and Soundwave are seen in the movie's trailer, though it's unknown how much of their usual characterizations will make it into the film. The idea of Cybertronians being subjugated as non-transforming robots in the underground of their planet is somewhat new, but it also remixes elements from the Generation 1 Transformers cartoon.

There, the Cybertronians were created by the alien Quintessons, which were techno-organic invaders who sold their robotic creations throughout the cosmos as military hardware and consumer goods. These robots developed a consciousness of their own and rebelled against their cruel masters, expelling them from Cybertron. Unfortunately, the divisions within the species were already firm, seeing the consumer goods and military hardware become the Autobots and Decepticons, who constantly waged war on their planet.

Transformers One is seemingly going in a similar direction, with tentacled creatures seen in the trailers who may be the film's version of Quintessons. There are also scenes in which the characters' alternate modes and weapons are accessed for the first time, with Optimus Prime having an ax like he did in Generation 1 and Transformers: Animated. Similarly, Bumblebee has small daggers that resemble his "stingers" from that series. Elita-1's alternate mode seems to be a motorcycle, making her a bit closer to the modern depictions of fellow female Autobot, Arcee. The trailer also seems to suggest that there's organic life on Cybertron, recalling a plot point from the highly controversial series Beast Machines: Transformers.

When and Where to Watch Transformers One

Transformers One, as mentioned, is a theatrical release, with the movie rolling out onto the big screen on Sept. 20, 2024. This is notably the date that's currently also set for the release of The Wild Robot, meaning that either film may be moved to keep away from too much direct competition. It will not be released on any streaming platform at the same time as its theatrical run, meaning that fans who want to see the film when it comes out will have to do so by going to the theater.

As a Paramount production, Transformers One will release on Paramount+ when it leaves theaters and comes to streaming. There's no set date for when this will happen, and it will likely be decided by the movie's box office performance. A good guide to go by, in this case, would be the 2023 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Released in August, it was available to stream on Paramount+ a month and a half later.

Transformers One Cast and Characters

The main cast of Transformers One should be very familiar to fans, as should the celebrities voicing them. Chris Hemsworth voices Orion Pax/Optimus Prime, with his line delivery heard in the movie's trailer making him sound very close to a younger approximation of Prime's usual voice actors, Peter Cullen and Garry Chalk. The name of Orion Pax was introduced in the Generation 1 Transformers cartoon, where it was Prime's name before he was reformatted by Alpha Trion.

Brian Tyree Henry voices D-16/Megatron, though he sounds notably different from how the Decepticon leader usually does. The designation D-16 is an homage to the numbering of his original toy, with Megatron's action figure being the 16th Decepticon/Destron in the toyline. Keegan-Michael Key is B-127/Bumblebee, giving the character a witty, humorous tone. His being able to speak showcases how the franchise seems to be moving away from the live-action Michael Bay Transformers movies, where the character was notably unable to speak. The B-127 moniker is an homage to the live-action films, however.

Scarlett Johansson is Elita-1, who's usually portrayed as the love interest of Optimus Prime. She doesn't seem to have an initial name, meaning that the movie is likely not adapting her initial form of Ariel/Erial. Laurence Fishburne is briefly heard voicing Alpha Trion, an elderly Autobot who, in many continuities, is the creator of Optimus Prime. Though not seen in the trailer, actor Jon Hamm voices Sentinel Prime. This Autobot is usually characterized as either a contemporary of Optimus Prime or his predecessor, and it appears that Transformers One is using the latter concept. Starscream, Soundwave and Shockwave will also be in the movie, though it's not been announced who voices them. It's believed by fans that Steve Buscemi -- who is part of the movie's cast in an undisclosed role -- will be voicing Starscream.

Transformers One Synopsis and Plot Details

As noted, Transformers One is an origin story for Optimus Prime, Megatron and the Autobots and Decepticons as a whole. The main focus will be predominately on Optimus and Megatron, showcasing how the two go from allies to eternal enemies. Along the way, they also befriend and antagonize Cybertronians who go on to fight alongside them in the future, such as Bumblebee and Starscream. Beyond showing how the two lowly Transformers go on to become legendary leaders, the film will also focus on how the Autobot and Decepticon factions come to be. The trailer hints at there being much more to this plot synopsis than meets the eye, so fans will have to tune in when the movie hits theaters to see how it brings a new perspective to the fabled franchise.

The movie is seemingly unrelated to the live-action Transformers movies, as it blatantly contradicts the established backstory introduced in those films. It's worth noting that there are actually two distinct timelines within those movies, with Bumblebee and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts being in a separate continuity from the films directed by Michael Bay. If the movie is successful, it could lead to more animated Transformers movies, or, as in the case of the aforementioned Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, a sequel film and an animated TV series.

2024-04-20T06:25:04Z dg43tfdfdgfd