Transformers Oneis the latest film in the popular franchise and the first animated movie since 1986’sThe Transformers: The Movie.Transformers Onelooks to tell the prequel to the main conflict of the series, showcasing how the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons started and, more importantly, how Optimus Prime and Megatron went from being friends to rivals leading warring factions. One important element to every newTransformersentry that every fan always wants to know is what is the roster of characters that will make up the story and, importantly, the toy line.
Transformers One
SinceTransformers Oneis based on a famous toy line celebrating its 40th anniversary, plenty of characters from the franchise’s history round out the cast. It features plenty of future Autobots and Decepticons before they were members of rival factions. In addition,Transformers Oneboasts an all-star voice cast that mixes blockbuster movie stars, Academy Award nominees, animated movie legends, and character actors. Here is every major Transformers character inTransformers Oneand who is voicing them.
Warning: Spoilers ahead forTransformers One.
Orion Pax/Optimus Prime
The most iconic character in theTransformersfranchise isOptimus Prime. But long before he was the fearless leader of the Autobots, he was Orion Pax.Transformers Onebegins with Orion Pax as a lowly worker bot, working in the mines of Cybertron to harvest Energon, a departure from most continuity where he is a scholar.
Transformers Onewill show how the young, reckless, and slightly immatureOrion Pax will grow into the famous Optimus Primeand how his best friend, D-16, will eventually become his greatest foe, Megatron. Optimus Prime transforms into a truck, but it is a Cybertronian truck forTransformers One.
Hemsworth Has Some Big Shoes to Fill
Thor himself,Chris Hemsworth, has been cast to voice Orion Pax/Optimus Prime. Hemsworth has some big shoes to fill as he is stepping into the rolepopularized by the great Peter Cullen, who voiced Optimus Prime in the originalTransformers: The Animated Seriesas well as the 1986 film, all the live-action movies, and the 2010 animated seriesTransformers: Prime.
Hemsworth is best known for playing Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but other high-profile credits include George Kirk inStar Trek, Tyler Rake in theExtractionmovies, and recently played Dementus inFuriosa: Mad Max Fury Road, where he played a villainous vehicle leader. This won’t be Hemsworth’s only dip into the world ofTransformers, ashe is rumored to be the lead in the upcomingG.I. Joe/Transformerscrossover.
D-16/Megatron
Before he wasMegatron, the ruthless leader of the Decepticons, he was D-16. D-16 is the best friend of Orion Pax before they become sworn enemies, leading enemy factions. D-16 is loyal to Cybertron, following the rules and believing in Cybertron’s leaders. He idolizes the fallen Prime, Megatronus Prime, from whom he will later draw his name.
D-16’s discovery of dark truths in Cybertron’s past will lead him to become Megatron, rejecting any Prime, including his former best friend. The movie makes amajor change to Megatron’s origin as most continuity has him as Cybertron’s gladiator. His being a Cybertron worker alongside Orion Pax highlights exactly the different paths they went on.Megatron turns into a Cybertronian tank.
A New Angle for Megatron
Brian Tyree Henryvoices Megatron inTransformers One. Henry’s career took off with the role of Alfred Miles/Paper Boi on the hit FX seriesAtlanta, and since then has become one of the most in-demand stars working. He has appeared as Phastos inEternals, Bernie Hayes in bothGodzilla vs. KongandGodzilla X: Kong: The New Empire, and an Academy Award-nominated performance inCauseway. Henry also voices Jefferson Morales inSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseandSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
While Frank Welker is best associated with Megatron, giving him a gravelly villain persona, Henry looks to sell a more youthful but still powerful take on the famousTransformersvillain.
While most continuity depictsElita-1as a romantic partner for Optimus Prime,Transformers Onedepicts Elita as the supervisor of Orion Pax and D-16 in the mines, who finds herself drawn into their adventure to the surface of Cybertron. She is confident, a leader, and more sure of herself and situations than Orion, D-16, or B-127. The film will show how Elita-1 becomes one of Optimus Prime’s early allies and a trusty leader of the Autobots.Elita-1 turns into a Cybertonian motorcycle.
A No-Nonsense Voice
Scarlett Johanssonvoices Elita-1. Johnasson is most famous for playing Black Widow in the MCU, making her the third major MCU actor inTransformers Onealongside Hemsworth and Henry. Johannson’s voice work includes Mindy inThe Spongebob Squarepants Movie, Samantha inHer, Kaa inThe Jungle Book, and Ash in bothSingandSing 2.
Johannson is one of the biggest stars in the world, having appeared in critically acclaimed films likeLost in Translation,Ghost World, andAestroid City. In 2019, she was nominated for two separate Academy Awards; Best Actress inMarriage Storyand Best Supporting Actress inJojo Rabbit.Transformers Oneis her second film of 2024, followingFly Me to the Moon.
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Bumblebeeis most famous as the Autobot who can’t speak as his vocal chords were damaged in battle, a character trait introduced in the 2007Transformersfilm that has carried over into subsequent adaptations.
InTransformers One,audiences will see that before Bumblebee, originally B-127, lost his voice to speak, he was a very talkative robot. B-127 is young, has a lot of energy and wants to go by the name “Badassatron,” a far cry from the cute name he will eventually adopt.B-127 transforms into a yellow alien car, one that resembles the Camero form he adopts on Earth in the live-action movies.
Motor Mouth for Someone Who Won’t Be Able to Speak With Their Mouth
Keegan Michael Keylends his voice to Bumblebee. Best known for his part in the comedic duo Key & Peele, he is no stranger to voice work. He previously voiced Murray the Mummy inHotel Transylvania 2,3, andTransformania. In 2019, he pulled double duty of Disney voicing Ducky inToy Story 4and the hyena Kamari inThe Lion King. He recently voiced Toad in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Keegan Micahel Key has also appeared in filmsDon’t Think Twice,The Predator, andWonka.
Starscream
Starscreamis the second mostfamous Decepticon. Typically depicted as Megatron’s second-in-command, Starscream is constantly trying to betray Megatron and take control of the Decepticons from him. The movie establishes the origin of Starscream and Megatron’s dynamic, particularly how Megatron took command of the Cybertron Kings Guard from Starscream, who the film trailer shows sitting on a throne flanked by other famous Decepticons, Soundwave, and Shockwave.Starscream’s signature form is a jet.
The Perfect Voice for Starscream
Steve Buscemivoices Starscream in a casting decision that makes one wonder why Michael Bay didn’t cast Buschemi to voice Starscream in his live-actionTransformersfilm instead of using him for a bit part as a Junk Trading Transformer inTransformers: The Last Knight.
Buscemi is one of the most acclaimed and respected character actors in the world, having played roles in iconic films likeReservoir Dogs,Fargo,The Big Lebowski, andGhost WorldalongsideTransformers Onestar Scarlett Johansson. He was the lead on the hit HBO seriesBoardwalk Empire. Buscemi’s distinct voice has made him a go-to for many films, including Randall inMonsters Inc.andMonsters Universityand Wayne the werewolf in theHotel Transylvaniamovies.
Alpha Trion
Alpha Trionis one of the thirteen Primes, the original leaders of the planet Cybertron. Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, and Elita-1 find Alpha Trion, who, when he is reactivated, tells them about the lost Transformers history that has been kept from them. He also gives them the ability to Transform by taking the sparks of his fellow Primes and giving them to the new heroes, hoping they will bring peace back to Cybertron.
A Legendary Voice for a Transformers Icon
Laurence Fishburnevoices Alpha Trion. Fishburne’s most famous role is Morpheus inThe Matrixtrilogy, but even before then, he made a name for himself as Cowboy Curtis onPee Wee’s Playhouseand films likeBoyz N the Hood,What’s Love Got to Do with ItandOthello. SinceThe Matrix, he has also appeared in theJohn Wickfilm series as well asMan of SteelandAnt-Man and the Wasp.
Due to Fishburne’s commanding voice, he is a favorite for voice roles, including the narrator inTMNT, The Silver Surfer inFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and the villain Thrax inOsmoso Jones.
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Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Primeis the leader of Cybertron, a seemingly benevolent ruler who hides a dark secret. Audiences who remember Sentinel Prime fromTransformers: Dark of the Moonwill recall that Sentinel Prime is secretly a villain who betrays the heroes, and given how much the design ofTransformers Onepulls from that film, it is safe to say that Sentinel Prime is not to be trusted.
Despite being a major part of the cast, Sentinel Prime has largely been absent in the marketing, as it mainly focuses on Optimus Prime and Megatron going from friend to foe. Sentinel Prime might be the figure who drives them apart.
Jon Hamm Voices the Leader of Cybertron
Mad MenstarJon Hammvoices Sentinel Prime. While Hamm is best known for playing Don Draper on the hit AMC series, he has built up an impressive career in films likeBridesmaids,Baby Driver,The Town, andTop Gun: Maverick. He has also kept himself a presence on television, appearing onThe Morning Show,Good Omens, andFargo. He previously lent his voice toShrek Forever AfterandMinionsand will next be heard in the Pixar filmHoopers.
Darkwing & Airachnid
Two prominent Transformers featured inTransformers OneareDarkwingandAirachnid. Darkwing appears to be a bully to Orion Pax and D-16, as he throws them into the same hidden sublevel as B-127, and Optimus Prime tries to flip him off in the movie trailer. Darkwing is typically depicted as a Decepticon, so there is a chance he could join Megatron’s forces by the end of the film.Darkwing turns into a Cybertonian jet.
Despite largely being absent from the trailer, Airachnid is one of the main villains inTransformers Oneas the main enforcer for Sentinel Prime. Airachnid is defined by her multiple legs, andher alternate form for the film is a Cybertron drone attack helicopter. She is a relatively new character in the franchise, introduced in the 2010 animated seriesTransformers: Prime.
Rounding Out the Cast With Some Lesser Known But Equally Talented Names
Accomplished character actorIsaac C. Singletonvoices Darkwing. Singleton is best known for voicing Thanos in Marvel Animated series likeAvengers Assembledand video games likeMarvel vs. Capcom: InfiniteandMarvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order.He has also appeared in films likePirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black PearlandDeadpool.Vanessa Liguorivoices Airachnid, an actress with limited credits including two episodes ofThe Sopranoes.
