Transformers One (2024) is an animated prequel set in the beloved Transformers universe, exploring the origins of the epic conflict between Autobots and Decepticons on their home planet of Cybertron. As a fresh entry in the Transformers franchise, this movie ties into both existing film adaptations and the expansive lore found in the animated series, comic books, and video games that have shaped the saga over the last several decades. Understanding how Transformers One connects to the wider Transformers mythology, its continuity within the cinematic universe, and its relationship with earlier animated series provides a fascinating look at its significance.
In this article, we will delve into what Transformers One (2024) is, how it is positioned within the Transformers universe, its connections to previous films and shows, and the creative direction behind its production.
What Is Transformers One (2024)?
Transformers One is an upcoming animated feature film directed by Josh Cooley, who is best known for his work on Pixar’s Toy Story 4. Set to be released by Paramount Pictures in September 2024, this movie serves as a prequel to the existing Transformers films, taking viewers to the early days of Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers. The film will explore the backstory of two key characters: Optimus Prime (then known as Orion Pax) and Megatron, chronicling their journey from close allies to sworn enemies.
This film marks a departure from the live-action format that has defined the Transformers franchise for the past two decades. Instead, it returns to the world of animation, reminiscent of earlier animated series and films. Transformers One promises to provide a deeper understanding of the origins of the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, as well as the political and societal conditions that led to the fall of Cybertron.
A New Creative Direction
One of the key distinguishing features of Transformers One is its emphasis on storytelling through animation, which allows the filmmakers to explore Cybertron in ways that the live-action films could not. With animation, the scale and intricacies of Cybertron’s futuristic cities, landscapes, and characters can be explored more vividly. The return to animation also taps into the nostalgia of older fans who grew up with the original Transformers animated series, while attracting a new generation of viewers.
The film boasts an impressive voice cast, with Chris Hemsworth as young Optimus Prime, Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron, and Scarlett Johansson as Elita, an Autobot leader. This star-studded cast further highlights the film’s ambition to appeal to both long-time fans and newcomers to the Transformers universe.
The Transformers Franchise: A Brief Overview
Before diving into the specific connections that Transformers One has to other films, it’s important to understand the broader Transformers franchise and its many adaptations across different media.
The Origin of Transformers
The Transformers franchise originated in the early 1980s as a line of transforming robot toys created by Hasbro. These toys quickly gained popularity due to their unique ability to change from vehicles to robots and vice versa. To promote the toy line, Hasbro partnered with Marvel Comics to create a comic book series, and with Sunbow Productions to develop an animated television show called The Transformers.
The original 1984 Transformers animated series (often referred to as G1, or Generation 1) introduced audiences to the Autobots, led by the noble Optimus Prime, and the Decepticons, under the leadership of the tyrannical Megatron. The show followed their battle for control of Cybertron and Earth, and it remains one of the most iconic pieces of Transformers media.
The Transformers Cinematic Universe
In 2007, the Transformers franchise expanded into live-action with Michael Bay’s Transformers. The film was a massive box-office success, leading to a series of sequels (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and Transformers: The Last Knight), which focused on the ongoing war between Autobots and Decepticons on Earth.
These live-action films presented a new continuity for the franchise, but they retained key elements from the original animated series, including the core conflict between Optimus Prime and Megatron. While these films were visually spectacular, they were often criticized for their convoluted storylines and overreliance on action sequences.
In 2018, the live-action film Bumblebee was released as a spin-off and soft reboot of the Transformers series. Directed by Travis Knight, Bumblebee took a more character-driven approach, focusing on the relationship between the Autobot scout Bumblebee and a young human girl. The film was well-received for its emotional depth and was seen as a fresh start for the Transformers cinematic universe.
See also: What Will Transformers One (2024) Be About?
How Transformers One Connects to the Franchise
Transformers One is poised to serve as a crucial piece in the larger Transformers universe, expanding on the origins of key characters and events that have shaped the series. Below, we’ll explore the various connections the film has to both the live-action Transformers films and the animated series that preceded it.
Connection to the Live-Action Films
Though Transformers One is an animated film, it is part of the live-action Transformers cinematic universe. This means it shares continuity with Michael Bay’s Transformers films, as well as Bumblebee. The events of Transformers One are set long before the action of the 2007 film, which introduced audiences to the war between Autobots and Decepticons on Earth.
In particular, Transformers One will explore the relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron during their time on Cybertron, before the war forced them to flee the planet. While the live-action films have alluded to this backstory, they have never fully explored it in detail. This film gives fans a chance to see the dynamics between these two iconic characters before they became leaders of their respective factions.
The Fall of Cybertron
One of the major plot points that Transformers One is expected to cover is the fall of Cybertron, a pivotal event in Transformers lore. In both the live-action and animated continuities, Cybertron was once a thriving planet, home to a technologically advanced society of sentient robots. However, a civil war between the Autobots and Decepticons ultimately led to the planet’s collapse, forcing the Autobots to flee to Earth.
The fall of Cybertron has been hinted at in several Transformers films, most notably in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which showed flashbacks of the planet’s final days. Transformers One will likely expand on these flashbacks, providing a deeper look at the political and social turmoil that led to the war.
Optimus Prime and Megatron’s Relationship
At the heart of Transformers One is the relationship between Optimus Prime (Orion Pax) and Megatron. In most versions of the Transformers story, the two characters start out as allies, with Megatron often portrayed as a revolutionary leader fighting against an oppressive regime. Over time, however, their ideologies diverge, leading to a bitter conflict that splits Cybertron in two.
This dynamic was briefly touched upon in the live-action films, particularly in Transformers: The Last Knight, which alluded to the idea that Megatron and Optimus were once friends. However, this idea was not fully developed, and Transformers One promises to explore it in greater depth, providing insight into why these two characters became bitter enemies.
Connections to Bumblebee
While Transformers One is primarily focused on the early days of Cybertron, it also has connections to the 2018 film Bumblebee. Bumblebee established a new tone and direction for the Transformers franchise, focusing more on character development and emotional storytelling than the explosive action of the earlier films. This approach is likely to continue in Transformers One, which will delve into the complex relationships and political intrigue of Cybertron’s ruling class.
Additionally, Bumblebee introduced audiences to a new visual style for the Transformers, with the designs of the characters more closely resembling their G1 counterparts. This design philosophy is expected to carry over into Transformers One, which will likely feature character designs that pay homage to the original Transformers animated series.
Connection to the Animated Series
While Transformers One is primarily connected to the live-action films, it also draws heavily from the Transformers animated series, particularly Transformers: Prime and Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy, both of which explored the origins of the Autobot-Decepticon war.
Transformers: Prime
Transformers: Prime (2010–2013) was an animated series that ran on the Hub Network and focused on the war between Autobots and Decepticons on Earth. However, it also featured numerous flashbacks to Cybertron and provided detailed backstory about the planet’s history, including the relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron.
In Transformers: Prime, Megatron is depicted as a former gladiator who rose to power by leading a rebellion against the corrupt government of Cybertron. Optimus Prime, originally known as Orion Pax, was a clerk who admired Megatron’s vision but ultimately rejected his violent methods. This dynamic between Optimus and Megatron is expected to be a key part of Transformers One, which will likely draw inspiration from the way their relationship was portrayed in Transformers: Prime.
Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy
Another major influence on Transformers One is the Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy, an animated series released on Netflix between 2020 and 2021. This series, like Transformers One, focused on the early days of the Autobot-Decepticon conflict on Cybertron and explored the complex political situation that led to the planet’s downfall.
The War for Cybertron Trilogy delved into the internal struggles within the Autobot and Decepticon factions, as well as the difficult choices that both Optimus Prime and Megatron had to make as leaders. These themes of moral ambiguity and political intrigue are expected to play a significant role in Transformers One, which will likely explore similar ideas as it examines the origins of the conflict.
Conclusion
Transformers One (2024) is an exciting new entry in the Transformers franchise that promises to explore the origins of the Autobot-Decepticon war on Cybertron. As an animated prequel, it is connected to both the live-action films and the animated series that have come before it, providing a deeper understanding of the characters and events that have shaped the Transformers universe.
By focusing on the relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron, the film will shed light on the personal and political dynamics that led to the fall of Cybertron and the eventual conflict that spread to Earth. With its return to animation and its emphasis on storytelling, Transformers One has the potential to be a standout addition to the Transformers canon, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Related topic:
Will Transformers One(2024) Be A Prequel To Bumblebee?
Is Transformers One A Prequel To Rise Of The Beasts?
Is Transformers One (2024) For Adults?