Warnign: Contains SPOILERS for Tranfsormers One!
Transformers One will bring the return of familiar characters from the Transformers franchise. Following the success and large fan base of the live-action Transformers films, Transformers One takes on a different appearance as an animated film. The film is a prequel that explores the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron’s relationship. Joining these two are other popular characters seen within the franchise, in addition to two Autobots largely absent from the live-action films.
The ensemble voice cast of Transformers One was announced in 2023 and features many notable actors, including Scarlett Johansson, Laurence Fishburne, and Chris Hemsworth, taking over as Optimus Prime following Peter Cullen. Though Transformers One is an addition to the Transformers film series, its source material closely follows early adaptations of the characters, as portrayed in The Transformers animated television and comic series. This sets Transformers One further apart from the live-action films and brings about opportunities to introduce audiences to Autobots and Decepticons unseen in other film adaptations.
17 Orion Pax/Optimus Prime
Voiced by Chris Hemsworth
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Following in the path of Peter Cullen, who voiced the character throughout the entire Transformers film franchise, Chris Hemsworth voices the main protagonist, Optimus Prime, in Transformers One. However, the movie primarily focuses on his younger days as a miner in Iacon City when he was known as Orion Pax. He goes on a journey to find the Matrix of Leadership and uncovers the truth about the Elder Primes’ demise. This paves the way for Orion to become Optimus Prime, be blessed with the Matrix of Leadership by Primus, and form the Autobots in Transformers One‘s ending.
16 D-16/Megatron
Voiced by Brian Tyree Henry
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Megatron, also known as D-16, is a widely recognized villain within the franchise, but Transformers One shows what turned him into the evil leader of the Decepticons. D-16 is Orion’s best friend after bonding over their admiration for Megatronus Prime on their first day together as miners. But, he feels personally betrayed by Sentinel Prime’s actions and relationship with Transformers One‘s alien villains, the Quintessons, leading him to lead a revolt against his leadership. It’s through exploring Megatron’s origin story that the evolution of him from D-16 to forming the Decepticons takes shape.
15 B-127/Bumblebee
Voiced by Keegan-Michael Key
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Bumblebee, a beloved member of the Autobots, is in Transformers One as B-127. He is characterized by his connection to humans and the effort he makes to prove his worth to stronger Autobots, particularly Optimus Prime. Transformers One‘s portrayal is noticeably different due to a lack of human characters and granting Bumblebee the ability to speak – and speak often. He goes from working in the sublevels of Iacon City to becoming one of Orion Pax’s most trusted allies, and his newfound abilities make him more powerful than ever before.
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Actors Who Voiced Bumblebee In The Transformers Film Franchise |
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Film(s) |
Actor |
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Transformers (2007) – Dark of the Moon (2011) |
Mark Ryan |
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Age of Extinction (2014) |
Ben Schwartz |
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The Last Knight (2017) |
Erik Aadahl |
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Bumblebee (2018) |
Dylan O’Brien |
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Transformers One (2024) |
Keegan-Michael Key |
14 Elita-1
Voiced by Scarlett Johansson
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Elita-1, formerly known as Ariel, plays a significant part alongside Optimus Prime in Transformers One. In other stories, Ariel dated Orion Pax, but the two were severely damaged following an attack by Megatron. They would eventually be rebuilt by Alpha Trion and given their new names, Elita-1 and Optimus Prime. That story is abandoned for Transformers One, as Elita is originally Orion’s boss and she does not like him that much. They form a strong camaraderie throughout the adventure, resulting in Elita becoming a commander for Optimus in the end.
13 Alpha Trion
Voiced by Laurence Fishburne
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Alpha Trion wasn’t in the live-action Transformers films, so that makes Transformers One his film debut. Alpha Trion is one of the oldest Autobots with an immense amount of knowledge, and he is confirmed to be one of the Elder Primes in Transformers One. Alpha Trion is the lone Prime who is still alive that Orion, D-16, Elita, and B-127 find and is responsible for telling them about Sentinel Prime’s betrayal. He also gives Optimus Prime, Megatron, Elita, and Bumblebee their transformation cogs.
12 Sentinel Prime
Voiced by Jon Hamm
In previous television and comic adaptations of the Transformers story, Sentinel Prime is described as the leader of the Autobots before Optimus Prime. Transformers One follow this storyline, chronicling Sentinel Prime’s leadership before his death. As a skilled fighter, Sentinel Prime is equipped with powerful weapons that result in a prideful fighter. This characteristic leads to a negative side of Sentinel Prime that is seen throughout other adaptations of the character, such as in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Transformers One repeats the Sentinel Prime villain twist and focuses on his ultimate demise.
11 Starscream
Voiced by Steve Buscemi
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The Decepticons’ typical second-in-command, Starscream, is in Transformers One. He can transform into a jet and traditionally answers to Megatron, but that is not where his story begins here. He is the leader of the remnants of the High Guard and is determined to fight back against Sentinel Prime. Starscream ultimately concedes power over the group to D-16 after his transformation into Megatron, making him part of the first group of Decepticons. Steve Buscemi voices him after Starscream appeared in the original Transformers live-action trilogy.
10 Shockwave
Voiced By Jason Konopisos-Alvarez
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Shockwave is another Decepticon featured in Transformers One. Jason Konopisos-Alvarez voices the villain who works alongside Starscream as a member of the High Guard. The movie utilizes the classic G1 design for Shockwave following his previous appearance in Transformers: Dark of the Moon and cameo in Bumblebee. Shockwave is also among those who follow Megatron’s lead and joins the Decepticons in Transformers One‘s post-credits scene.
9 Soundwave
Voiced By Jon Bailey
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Soundwave returns to screens with Transformers One. The trusted member of the Decepticon ranks works with Starscream and the High Guard during the film. Soundwave was last seen in Transformers: Dark of the Moon outside of a cameo in Bumblebee. The driven and incredibly loyal Decepticon is now apart of Megatron’s army following his rise to power in Transformers One.
8 Airachnid
Voiced By Vanessa Liguori
Transformers One‘s confirmed Decepticons also include the feature-film debut for Airachnid. The spider-like Decepticon works directly for Sentinel Prime in the film, with her many eyes allowing her to always be on the lookout for his enemies. Although Airachnid is technically a Decepticon and will work for them under the right circumstances, she is better known for doing what is best for her and aligning herself with whoever can help her become more powerful. For the purposes of Transformers One, that means working for Sentinel Prime, although her future in uncertain.
7 Darkwing
Voiced By Isaac C. Singleton Jr.
The Decepticon known as Darkwing also gets his debut in Transformers One. He is one of Orion Pax and D-16’s bosses as they work as miners. Darkwing is typically joined by his partner Dreadwind in other appearances, as they can combine to form Dreadwing, but his usual partner is not featured. The movie utilizes a fairly accurate look for him, maintaining the blue and purple color scheme, including the purple visor. He’s voiced by Isaac C. Singleton Jr.
6 Chromia
Voiced By Jinny Chung
Chromia has a small role in Transformers One that amounts to little more than a cameo. She is traditionally a tough member of the Autobots with a skill for sabotage. Those skills are not put to use in Transformers One, as she is instead featured in the Iacon 5000 race and wins the whole thing.
5 Zeta Prime
Voiced By James Remar
Transformers One‘s glimpses of the Elder Primes includes a brief speaking part for Zeta Prime, voiced by James Remar. Zeta Prime was the leader among the original Primes, as Primus initially gave him the Matrix of Leadership. Unfortunately, he died during the Qutinessons sneak attack led by Sentinel Prime, with the Matrix of Leadership disintegrating in his absence.
4 Megatronus Prime
He’s Not The Fallen This Time
Megatronus Prime has a notable role to play in Transformers One, even if he does not have that large of a physical presence. As one of the dead Elder Primes, Megatronus is primarily referenced as the strongest of the original Primes and the favorite of D-16 and Orion Pax. While the character is typically portrayed as having an evil side that makes him The Fallen, as shown in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, it seems Megatronus Prime died a true hero in Transformers One‘s universe.
3 Jazz
Voiced By Evan Michael Lee
Jazz plays a minor role in Transformers One. He is initially featured in the first mining sequence and loses a leg as the cave collapses. Luckily for Jazz, Orion risked his life to save him from total destruction. Jazz returns in the end and is featured among the new crop of Autobots who get transformation cogs courtesy of Optimus Prime.
2 Arcee
Voiced By Jinny Chung
After getting a notable role in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Arcee is only a cameo in Transformers One. The pink Autobot pops up repeatedly throughout the film, ranging from the Iacon 5000 race to the mines and the very end. It would appear that Arcee is now positioned to climb the Autobot ranks under Optimus Prime’s leadership after Transformers One gives her the ability to unlock her alt-mode.
1 Autobots & Decepticons Referenced In Transformers One
Several Others Are Mentioned Or Teased
In addition to the Autobots and Decepticons that are directly featured on screen with prominent, supporting, or cameo roles, Transformers One also confirms that many other notable characters exist in this world. Many of these come during the Iacon 5000 race, with the leaderboard showing the names of several future Autobots and Decepticons that are participants in the iconic race. Some, like Darkwing and Chromia, are mentioned previously in the article.
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Iacon 5000 Racers |
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Blowout |
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Clampdown |
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Silverbolt |
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High Beam |
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Deadend |
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Slingshot |
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Override |
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Double Clutch |
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Meanstreak |
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Cliffjumper |
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Motormouth |
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Powerglide |
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Jetstream |
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Tailgate |
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Lightspeed |
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Scattershot |
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Mirage |
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Behemoth |
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Red Alert |
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Wheeljack |
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Hound |
The most notable characters in the Iacon 5000 that could affect the Autobots and Decepticons ranks include Jetstream, Mirage, Wheeljack, and Hound. There are glimpses of other Elder Primes and Primus himself, while even Ratchet gets a shoutout due to his medical career. Sunstreaker, Ironhide, and Sideswipe are also briefly seen as Transformers One Easter eggs in the crowd. Still, these are all Autobots and Decepticons in Transformers One that have been confirmed.
Transformers One Not Yet RatedAnimationActionAdventure 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 Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures 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 Sequel(s) Transformers Expand