‘The Transformers: The Movie’ 40th Anniversary To Feature New Animated Short ‘Optimus Prime Awakening’

It’s hard to believe that it has been 40 years since The Transformers: The Movie (complete with the insistent “the”s) made its U.S. theatrical debut on August 8, 1986. What’s not hard to believe is how that particular animated Transformers movie ended up traumatizing so many of the people watching it at the time, especially the kids. After all, it is the Transformers movie that just straight up killed off Optimus Prime near the beginning of the movie. It’s on a similar level of the original 1988 The Land Before Time in terms of trauma potential to kids…and quite a few adults as well. I suspect this is a big reason why this Transformers movie became quite the cult classic. It’s probably also why the news of it returning to theaters is making such big headlines. Especially when there’s a bonus waiting for fans at the end.

Fathom Entertainment is proud to announce that the upcoming theatrical re-debut of The Transformers: The Movie will get a bonus. That bonus will be a 12-minute long animated short film that will be titled “Optimus Prime Awakening“. This short will apparently follow the main movie, serving as a sort of extended post-credits feature. Now as for what it’s about? Well, it’s basically a “love letter to the Transformers community and the late Peter Cullen, the legendary talent and voice of Optimus Prime“. In fact, this short will be the final performance of Cullen, with him sharing that this short felt to him to be a “homecoming to a character he had shaped for more than four decades”. Not only that, but Frank Welker will also return in that short as Megatron/Soundwave, making this truly a reunion for the cast, living and newly passed.

In fact, Hasbro has a statement regarding the passing of Peter Cullen, which you can read below:

Hasbro Statement Regarding the Passing of Peter Cullen

We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Cullen: the legendary voice behind Optimus Prime, and so many characters that shaped our childhoods.

His voice was unmistakable. For four decades it taught us what courage and kindness sound like, and it will keep doing that for every fan who hears it for the first time.

For those of us who had the privilege of knowing him, Peter was a true hero: passionate about his craft, brimming with warmth and kindness, devoted to his family, and a friend to so many.

Our thoughts are with Peter’s loved ones and the millions of Transformers fans grieving with us today.

Rest easy, Peter. Till all are one. 💙

“Optimus Prime Awakening” Enticing Audiences with Last Performance of Peter Cullen

Honestly, this is one heck of a bonus to include only for “select anniversary screenings” of The Transformers: The Movie. This feels more like something a Transformers fan would watch by any means necessary given its importance. A love letter to the Transformers franchise as a whole? Featuring the final performance of the legendary Peter Cullen? I can already hear the slavering cries of fans desperate to see that. They couldn’t have thought of a better way to entice fans into watching that original Transformers movie if they tried.

Fortunately, you can now purchase tickets for that 40th anniversary screening of The Transformers: The Movie directly from Fathom Entertainment. Even better, they will now be screening in France, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Peru as well.

What do you all think? Are you eager to see the last performance of Peter Cullen in “Optimus Prime Awakening”? Tell us your transformative thoughts in the comments section below.