Fathom Entertainment has revealed the short film attached to the 40th anniversary rerelease of The Transformers: The Movie is titled Optimus Prime: Awakening, and that it will feature the final performance from the late Peter Cullen. Cullen, who reprised the role of the titular Autobot leader before his death, aged 85, last week, reunited with Megatron and Soundwave voice actor Frank Welker for the 12-minute film, which will play after the movie’s screenings this month.
Plot details for the short are vague, but the press release says it “builds on the acclaimed storytelling and visuals of [the movie], giving audiences the rare opportunity to experience the iconic cultural moment from the franchise’s past while exploring its future on the big screen.” This presumably refers to Prime’s death in the film, which sparked a backlash so intense that it led to his resurrection on the third season of the original TV show.
While not directly quoted, the announcement says Cullen found returning for Optimus Prime: Awakening “meant a great deal to him. He felt the project was a homecoming to a character he had shaped for more than four decades. Peter’s performance reveals a deeper vulnerability while retaining the unmistakable strength and authority that made his portrayal iconic.”
Welker, 80, adds, “Peter’s portrayal of Prime was born of his own personal beliefs; honesty, loyalty, and always insisting on doing the right thing. 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.”
Optimus Prime: Awakening was written by Ryan Parrott (Power Rangers), and directed by Joshua Wassung (Predator: Killer of Killers), whose studio The Third Floor provided the animation. Its score was provided by Bobby Krlic (aka The Haxan Cloak), whose previous work includes Midsommar, Blue Beetle, and Beef. Parrott, who is making his Transformers debut with the film, said on X, “It was a dream come true and I hope you enjoy it.”
The Transformers: The Movie‘s rerelease will be held in theaters internationally from Thursday, September 17 (Transformers Day) to Tuesday, Sep. 22, with Fathom now confirming screenings in France, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Peru in addition to the previously announced locations. For tickets, head to Fathom’s website, or check local listings.
