Summary
I am more optimistic about Chris Hemsworth voicing Optimus PrimeinTransformers Oneafter his comments atSan Diego Comic-Con. The Autobot leader has traditionally been portrayed by the legendary Peter Cullen, who voiced him in the 1980sTransformersanimated series, as well as all thelive-actionTransformersfilmssince 2007. Cullen’s voice has long been synonymous with Optimus Prime, and his presence provided consistency as theTransformersmovies changed with different directors, stories, human protagonists, and time periods.
Hemsworth voicing Optimus Prime instead of Cullen inTransformers Oneis a significant departure that made me skeptical about the upcoming film, especially since Cullen has voiced the character in animation before. AnOptimus Prime and Megatron origin storywithout Cullen seemed like it would be incomplete. Fortunately,Hemsworth’s comments have me feeling much better aboutTransformers Oneand its ability to tell a good Optimus Prime story — even without Cullen’s familiar voice.
This Movie With 95% On RT Proves Transformers One Is Right To Break A 38-Year Pattern
While the recent Transformers blockbusters have had disappointing receptions, the upcoming installment is daring to restore the series.
Chris Hemsworth’s Optimus Prime Is Meant To Be Different From Peter Cullen’s
Transformers One’s Version Of The Character Is Young & Inexperienced
Screen Rantattended the San Diego Comic-Con panel forTransformers One, where Hemsworth spoke about his character in the upcoming prequel. Hemsworth said, “What Peter Cullen has done with the character is so incredible. … The goal was never to mimic or sound like Peter Cullen. This was about the brashness of Orion. … It helped ground the story.” While Hemsworth praises Cullen’s iconic voice performance as Optimus Prime, he clarifies that his version of the character is meant to be completely different. This includes the brash nature ofOrion Pax, who is not yet the wise and experienced Optimus Prime.
While Hemsworth praises Cullen’s iconic voice performance as Optimus Prime, he clarifies that his version of the character is meant to be completely different.
Cullen’s voice exudes authority, wisdom, and earned confidence from many years of experience, convincing viewers everything is going to be okay. Mimicking that would not only be a disservice to Cullen, butit would also not fit with the iteration of the character Hemsworth is playing.Transformers One’s version of the character is young, inexperienced, and only at the beginning of his journey as Optimus Prime. The only way to ground this portrayal of the character is for Hemsworth to put his own spin on it and make it distinct from Cullen.
Transformers One’s Different Optimus Prime Portrayal Explains Peter Cullen’s Recast
Peter Cullen’s Voice Would Not Have Worked With This Optimus Prime
Hemsworth’s comments now make me glad that Cullen was not cast inTransformers One,as he would have brought his usual gravitas to the role — and it wouldn’t have fit this iteration of Optimus.It would have been jarring to hear Cullen’s voice and see the character acting impulsivelyand immaturely. The only way to avoid this issue was to recast the role, and Hemsworth is an excellent choice. After all, his most iconic role, Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is a character who grows from impulsivity and immaturity to becoming a worthy hero and leader.
In addition to playing Thor in the live-action MCU films, Chris Hemsworth voiced Thor in the animatedWhat If…?series.
Despite taking place long before the events of theTransformersmovie,Transformers Oneis also not a direct prequel and takes place within its own continuity. Featuring different voice actors is a way to further communicate the distinction between the variousTransformerscontinuities, a distinction that would be more difficult to make if Cullen was still voicing Optimus Prime. I am now much more excited about experiencing Hemsworth’s new and distinct performance as Optimus Prime inTransformers One.
Transformers One
Cast
Transformers One is an animated action-adventure movie that marks the first animated feature-length film for the series in decades. The film will be a prequel to the franchise, and will tell the story of Optimus Prime and Megatron in their early years, how they met, and a closer look at the war on their home planet, Cybertron.
