New Transformers Movie Reveals Peter Cullen's Final Optimus Prime Performance

Published Sep 1, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT Rachel Schneider is a news writer at ScreenRant with a background in entertainment journalism, breaking news, and digital media. She earned dual bachelor's degrees in Professional Writing and English from Michigan State University before beginning her career as a copy editor and freelance writer, building experience across editorial, lifestyle, and news content. Her work has also appeared in Men's Journal and Business Insider, and has been featured on major digital platforms including MSN, Yahoo, and AOL. Throughout her career, Rachel has interviewed actors, reality television personalities, athletes, and other public figures, covering everything from breaking entertainment news to exclusive interviews. Among the highlights of her career has been the opportunity to interview several cast members from her favorite series, Outlander. The Transformers: The Movie is returning to theaters for its 40th anniversary, but the new footage accompanying the re-release will make the occasion especially significant for Transformers fans. Originally released in 1986, The Transformers: The Movie became one of the most memorable Transformers films, bringing Autobots and Decepticons to the big screen in an animated feature that remains a fan favorite decades later. Now, Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment are giving audiences another chance to experience the movie in 4K when it returns to theaters internationally from September 17 through 22. Following the credits of The Transformers: The Movie, audiences will get an exclusive look at Optimus Prime: Awakening, a brand-new 12-minute animated short that expands on the story and gives the iconic Autobot leader one final adventure. Most importantly, ScreenRant can exclusively reveal that Optimus Prime: Awakening features the late Peter Cullen's final original voice performance as Optimus Prime. Cullen voiced Optimus Prime for more than four decades,providing the greatest quote in Transformers history, and making his interpretation of the character one of the most recognizable performances in animation. His deep, commanding voice became inseparable from Optimus' image as a courageous and compassionate leader, making his final performance particularly meaningful for longtime fans. As shared with ScreenRant, Cullen felt that returning for Optimus Prime: Awakening was a homecoming to a character he had helped shape for more than 40 years. His performance gives Optimus a deeper vulnerability while retaining the strength and authority that have defined Cullen's portrayal since the character's earliest appearances. The short isn't simply being presented as a traditional post-credits scene, either. Optimus Prime: Awakening is described as a fully realized 12-minute cinematic event created as a love letter to the Transformers community and to Cullen. The project also reunites Cullen with another legendary voice actor from the franchise. Frank Welker returns as Megatron and Soundwave, giving the short one final story featuring two of the most important characters in Transformers history. Welker also shared an exclusive statement with ScreenRant about working opposite Cullen one final time: “Optimus Prime and Megatron were made for each other. After all, one needs the perfect hero against the epitome of evil to create great drama. Peter’s portrayal of Prime was born of his own personal beliefs; honesty, loyalty, and always insisting on doing the right thing. This made it easy to be friends. Returning as Megatron and Soundwave for one final story opposite Peter’s Optimus in ‘Optimus Prime: Awakening’ was a real gift. I will miss my friend, but that voice and his heart and values will always be part of Optimus Prime.” Welker's comments give the short an added significance following Cullen's death. Hasbro also paid tribute to Cullen, describing his voice as something that taught generations of fans what courage and kindness sound like and remembering him as a passionate performer, devoted family man, and friend. The new short's story and visuals build on both The Transformers: The Movie, giving audiences a chance to revisit the franchise's animated history while also looking toward its future. The timing also comes as the Transformers franchise continues to explore different versions of its mythology. While Transformers One offered a new animated origin story for Optimus and Megatron, Optimus Prime: Awakening brings the focus back to the characters and performances that helped establish the franchise in the first place. In addition to previously announced markets, screenings have now been confirmed in France, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Peru. For fans who grew up with Cullen's Optimus Prime, the anniversary release offers a rare opportunity to hear the legendary actor's voice in the role one final time. His performance in Optimus Prime: Awakening ensures that his connection to the character will continue to be part of the franchise even as Transformers moves into its next era. First Film Transformers First TV Show The Transformers Cast Frank Welker, Peter Cullen, Corey Burton, John Stephenson, Jack Angel, Michael Bell, Dan Gilvezan, Casey Kasem, Christopher Collins, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Mark Wahlberg, Hailee Steinfeld, Anthony Ramos Created by Hasbro Latest Film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Upcoming Films Transformers One