Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Transformers One.The animated prequel Transformers One has taken the long-running franchise in a new direction and provides plenty of setup for a potential sequel. Transformers One serves as an origin story showing how Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) became Optimus Prime and Megatron and how the ancient war between the Autobots and the Decepticons began. Instead of taking place on Earth as the live-action Transformers movies have, Transformers One takes place on Cybertron, with this setting being integral to the story.
As Orion and D-16 learn, Cybertron contains many secrets that have been hidden by their seemingly benevolent, but actually treacherous leader, Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm). Uncovering these secrets transforms Orion and D-16’s destinies and reshapes the future of all Transformers and of Cybertron itself. Transformers One‘s ending is a satisfying conclusion to the first chapter in this story while also paving the way for future sequels via several intriguing teases.
8 Optimus Prime Restores All Autobots’ Powers
They Have Their Transformation Cogs Again
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After Orion Pax is officially transformed into Optimus Prime and imbued with the Matrix of Leadership, he is able to restore the transformation cogs that Sentinel Prime took away from the citizens of Iacon City. This means that there are no more miners or other denizens of Iacon City who are devoid of transformation cogs. They are all able to transform now and are now known as Autobots, who have gained autonomy as a result of Optimus Prime’s noble actions.
While Megatron has his army of loyal Decepticons, Optimus has his own loyal Autobots, who will be forever loyal to him, as one of his first acts as a Prime was restoring what Sentinel Prime had stolen from his people, and they will fight alongside Optimus as the war continues.
A Transformers One sequel will inevitably feature more Transformers now that everyone in Iacon City can transform, which presents an opportunity to introduce more familiar Autobot characters. There will be less of a social hierarchy built on the haves and have-nots due to the liberating change that has occurred. While Megatron has his army of loyal Decepticons, Optimus has his own loyal Autobots, who will be forever loyal to him, as one of his first acts as a Prime was restoring what Sentinel Prime had stolen from his people, and they will fight alongside Optimus as the war continues.
7 Megatron Forms The Decepticons
The Megatronus Symbol Has A New Meaning
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Transformers One‘s final post-credits scene shows Megatron officially forming the Decepticons. This group includes Starscream (Steve Buscemi), Soundwave (Jon Bailey), Shockwave (Jason Konopisos-Alvarez), and other previous members of the High Guard who failed to protect the Primes and have spent years since feeling angry and seeking revenge. They first flocked to Megatron when he overpowered their former leader, Starscream, and declared it the last time he would ever show mercy.
Transformers One
‘s other credits scene features Bumblebee accidentally killing his “friends” from sublevel 50 with his knife hands.
Now that Megatron and the newly formed Decepticons have left Iacon City, they have relocated to the surface of Cybertron, which is where the High Guard resided in the years since the fall of the Primes. The insignia of Megatronus now serves as the symbol for all Decepticons, instead of being the symbol of the mighty Elder Prime who was slain by Sentinel Prime. Now that Megatron and his followers are officially Decepticons, it is time for them to rise up and strike back against Optimus Prime and the Autobots.
6 Megatron Tells Optimus Prime Their War Isn’t Over
“This Isn’t Over, Prime”
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Even though Sentinel Prime is dead, and his treachery has been unmasked, Megatron’s thirst for revenge and power remains unchanged. Before Megatron and the High Guard left Iacon City, Megatron made these intentions clear to Optimus Prime by asserting that their war is not over yet. A Transformers One sequel will see the Cybertronian Civil War that occurs between the Autobots and the Decepticons following the rift between Optimus Prime and Megatron. Their relationship has altered the course of history for all Transformers and divided them into two distinct factions.
Related Optimus Prime’s 3 Different Forms In Transformers One Explained
In its 104-minute run, Transformers One not only explores a compelling Cybertronian story but also showcases Optimus Prime’s three different forms.
The animated continuity beginning with Transformers One could take the series in a different direction, but a staple of Transformers is the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons ravaging Cybertron. This leaves the Autobots no choice but to abandon their homeworld. If this is where the prequels are headed, a great deal still needs to happen to reach this endpoint, especially since Transformers One ends on a victorious note for the Autobots. While the full extent of Cybertron’s fall will not happen in a sequel, the war’s effects on the planet will undoubtedly be felt in the next installment.
5 The Quintessons Are Warned Against Returning
The Villains Pulling Sentinel Prime’s Strings Remain
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Even though Sentinel Prime and his corrupt regime are defeated, the true villains, the Quintessons, remain. They were revealed to be the ones Sentinel Prime collaborated with when betraying the Primes, and they allowed him to rule Cybertron in exchange for Energon. Not only have the Quintessons lost their puppet leader and their steady supply of Energon, but they have also received a message from Optimus Prime to stay away from Cybertron, making it clear that the Transformers are taking a firm stance against their enemies and will no longer be manipulated into helping them.
Despite the divide between the Autobots and Decepticons, the Quintessons are seemingly the overarching villains of the trilogy that begins with
Transformers One
, forcing the Autobots and Decepticons to work together in the sequels to defeat their common enemy.
The Quintessons will not react well to this demand and will return to Cybertron to reassert their power. Despite the divide between the Autobots and Decepticons, the Quintessons are seemingly the overarching villains of the trilogy that begins with Transformers One, forcing the Autobots and Decepticons to work together in the sequels to defeat their common enemy. A Transformer One sequel may also reveal more about the Quintessons’ larger plans beyond Cybertron and why they require such vast amounts of Energon.
4 Elita & Bumblebee Are Key Players On Cybertron Now
They Are Part Of Iacon City’s New Government
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Optimus Prime and Megatron are not the only Transformers with important futures ahead of them after Transformer One‘s ending. Optimus admits that he will need help running things, and asks both Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and Bumblebee (Keegan-Michael Key) to assist him. Elita is promoted to the position of commander and Bumblebee is asked to be by Optimus’ side instead of returning to sublevel 50. From managing Energon miners to bringing down Sentinel Prime, Elita is a natural at leadership and organization, making her well-suited to being a key member of Optimus Prime’s regime.
Meanwhile, Bumblebee is uniquely resourceful and has unparalleled knowledge of Iacon City and of the Transformers’ history that few others possess. Their new roles ensure that they will not only appear in a sequel but will be in positions of power and influence as they rebuild Iacon City into a more just society. Both Elita and Bumblebee grew from the individuals they were at the beginning of Transformers One and will continue to grow while performing their new roles.
3 The Transformers Now Know The Truth About Cyberton’s Surface
It’s A Whole New World Up There
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In the earlier parts of Transformers One, Orion, D-16, and their fellow citizens know little of Cybertron’s surface as they have only dwelled in their underground city. It was only by going to the surface that Orion, D-16, B-127, and Elita had their transformation cogs restored and learned about the truth about Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons, and what actually happened to the Primes. On the surface, they also encountered wildlife and nature they never knew existed.
Related Transformers One’s 2 Main Differences From Michael Bay’s Movies Detailed By Director
Transformers One’s director Josh Cooley breaks down two major differences between his animated prequel and Michael Bay’s transformers movies.
While Megatron and the Decepticons currently reside on the surface after being banished from Iacon City, Cybertron is a large planet, and there are inevitably other secrets worth exploring across its vast terrain. Sequels can explore some of these other secrets that will reveal more about the history of the Transformers and the planet that they call home. This can expand on some of the excellent world-building that was already established in Transformers One.
2 Other Important Autobots Are Teased
Jazz & Arcee Are Only Minor Characters In Transformers One
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Jazz (Evan Michael Lee) and Arcee (Jinny Chung) only have small roles in Transformers One, despite their long history in the Transformers franchise. In the prequel, Jazz is one of the cogless miners working alongside Orion and D-16. When a cave-in occurs, Orion breaks protocol and takes initiative to save Jazz with help from D-16, which is what causes Elita to be demoted. Both Jazz and Arcee are among the Autobots who have their transformation cogs restored by the end of the movie.
Prior to
Transformers One
, Arcee appeared in live-action via
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
.
While a Transformers One sequel will inevitably introduce new Autobots, it could also use Jazz and Arcee, who have already been introduced and give them more substantial roles. Jazz especially has reason to be an Autobot loyal to Optimus, as Optimus not only gave Jazz the ability to transform again but also saved Jazz’s life before becoming a Prime. Jazz knows that going back to his days when he was simply Orion the miner, Optimus has always looked out for others, even at his own peril.
1 Energon Flowing Again Creates New Opportunities
Changes Are In Store For Iacon City
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The lives of Orion, D-16, and Elita largely revolved around them mining Energon, a task they were unknowingly fulfilling for the Quintessons. Now that Energon is flowing again on Cybertron, there is no longer a need for it to be mined for their archenemies. This creates new opportunities for many of the Autobots who used to be miners without a transformation cog and now need to find a new calling suited to their talents and hard work.
A sequel can show how Iacon City has transformed now that one of the previous main industries has changed. This may include showing how the Autobots can use Energon more effectively than Sentinel Prime ever did, as he was most focused on delivering the majority of the resources to his Quintesson overlords. More Energon means a more robust society for the Autobots in a Transformers One sequel, and they can create a city they are proud of instead of the facade under Sentinel Prime’s command.
Transformers One 
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AnimationActionAdventure Sci-Fi
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.
Director Josh Cooley Release Date September 20, 2024 Writers Andrew Barrer , Steve Desmond , Gabriel Ferrari Cast Chris Hemsworth , Brian Tyree Henry , Scarlett Johansson , Keegan-Michael Key , Steve Buscemi , Laurence Fishburne , Jon Hamm , Vanessa Liguori , Jon Bailey , Jason Konopisos-Alvarez , Evan Michael Lee , James Remar , Isaac C. Singleton Jr. , Steve Blum , Jinny Chung , Josh Cooley , Dillon Bryan Runtime 104 Minutes Expand