Get ready to relive the magic! To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Transformers: The Movie, a remastered version is hitting theaters for a limited run. But that’s not all – fans attending these screenings will also get an exclusive new animated short featuring Frank Welker as Megatron and, poignantly, Peter Cullen’s final performance as Optimus Prime.
A Tribute to a Legend
On September 1st, Hasbro unveiled plans for this special event. When the original 1986 Transformers movie returns to theaters on September 17th, select screenings will include “Optimus Prime: Awakening,” a brand-new, fully realized 12-minute animated short. Paramount describes it as “a love letter to the Transformers community and the late Peter Cullen.”
The news comes after the recent passing of Peter Cullen, a beloved voice actor who brought so much heart and soul to countless roles. While known for his iconic performances as Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh and his narration work on Toonami, Cullen will forever be remembered as the original and definitive voice of Optimus Prime. The announcement sparked immediate speculation about whether Cullen had recorded any new material as the Autobot leader before his passing, and “Optimus Prime: Awakening” appears to be that final gift.
“Optimus Prime: Awakening builds on the acclaimed storytelling and visuals of The Transformers: The Movie (1986), giving audiences the rare opportunity to experience the iconic cultural moment from the franchise’s past while exploring its future on the big screen,” Paramount stated in a press release. This short promises not only a visual treat but also an emotional journey, honoring Cullen’s legacy and his profound impact on the Transformers universe.
Frank Welker Reflects
Frank Welker, who voiced Megatron and Soundwave across numerous Transformers projects, shared heartfelt sentiments about the upcoming short and his late friend. “Optimus Prime and Megatron were made for each other,” Welker remarked. “After all, one needs the perfect hero against the epitome of evil to create great drama.”
“Peter’s portrayal of Prime was born of his own personal beliefs: honesty, loyalty, and always insisting on doing the right thing,” Welker continued. “This made it easy to be friends. Returning as Megatron and Soundwave for one final story opposite Peter’s Optimus in Optimus Prime: Awakening was a real gift. I will miss my friend, but that voice and his heart and values will always be part of Optimus Prime.”
This new short is more than just an animation; it’s a tribute to a legend, a celebration of the Transformers legacy, and a poignant farewell to the voice that defined a generation of heroes. Don’t miss your chance to experience this special event in theaters starting September 17th.
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