Let’s be honest, with the exception of Bumblebee-the Transformers movies have never exactly been known for their subtlety. Michael Bay gave us five films that were loud, chaotic, and full of explosions, but not much else. So, when they announced Transformers One, an animated origin story for Optimus Prime and Megatron, I wasn’t exactly expecting Shakespeare. But I was wrong.
This film is a breath of fresh air for a franchise that’s always been stuck in second gear. Directed by Toy Story 4‘s Josh Cooley, Transformers One has something that its predecessors often lacked – heart. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still plenty of the metal-on-metal action you’d expect, but this time, there’s actual thought behind it. And the one-note jokes from the trailers? They land.
Set long before the Autobots and Decepticons started wrecking Earth, the film dives into the origins of Optimus Prime (or Orion Pax, as he’s known here), a simple Energon miner with dreams of a better life. Teaming up with hisfriend D-16 (Megatron), Orion sets off on a mission to find the Matrix of Leadership, the lost artefact that could save their dying planet.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “The Matrix of Leadership? Energon? Really?” Yeah, it sounds ridiculous. But the film knows it’s a bit silly and plays into it with a self-aware, tongue-in-cheek tone that works. It’s a fine line between taking the mythology seriously and poking fun at it, but Transformers One nails it.
Visually, it’s stunning. The underground city of Iacon, where most of the action takes place, looks incredible – all jagged, metallic skyscrapers that stretch up and down like something out of a nightmare. The animation style feels fresh, with a hyper-realistic, shiny sheen that somehow manages to make this world of sentient robots feel grounded.
But where the film really surprises is in its world-building. Transformers One delves into Autobot society, which turns out to be a lot more complex than I gave it credit for. It’s a world divided by a rigid caste system – the “Primes” at the top and the miners like Orion at the bottom. It adds some real stakes to the story and makes the eventual rise of Optimus Prime feel earned.
Action fans won’t be disappointed either. Whether it’s an underground street race through Iacon or a daring rescue in the Energon mines, there’s plenty of metal-on-metal mayhem. But unlike the Bay films, it never feels overwhelming. There’s a balance here that the live-action movies often missed.
So, is it perfect? No. But for a Transformers movie, it’s as close as we’ve ever come. It’s funny, it’s smart, and it’s got just the right amount of heart. If you’ve ever found yourself rolling your eyes at this franchise, Transformers One might just change your mind.
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Transformers is released in the Uk & Ireland on 11th October 2024.
Martyn is joined by none other than Academy Award-winning director Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4) and legendary Hollywood producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers franchise).
The Transformers franchise has been a cultural phenomenon for 40 years, captivating audiences with its unique blend of action, humour, sci-fi, and nostalgia. From animated series to blockbuster films, Transformers has maintained a significant place in pop culture. Now, with the highly anticipated prequel “Transformers One”, directed by Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley and produced by Hollywood producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the franchise is set to take a bold new direction. In this interview, we’ll dive deep into exclusive insights from Cooley and di Bonaventura about their vision for the film and how it will expand the Transformers universe.
A Fresh Take on Transformers:
Transformers One marks a new chapter in the franchise, focusing on the origin story of the beloved Autobots and Decepticons. Set on Cybertron, the movie promises to explore the backstory of Optimus Prime and Megatron, long before they became the leaders of their respective factions. This unique angle on the Transformers lore has fans excited to see familiar characters in a fresh light, and both Cooley and di Bonaventura are eager to deliver.
Josh Cooley said: “We wanted to create something that stands apart from the other Transformers films while still paying homage to the rich history of the characters,” he explained. “This is a story about how Optimus Prime and Megatron were once friends, and how they ultimately ended up on opposing sides. It’s a story of betrayal, friendship, and the complexities of leadership.”
For fans who have always been curious about the deeper mythology of Cybertron and the origins of the iconic war, Transformers One promises to deliver in a big way. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, who has been a producer for the Transformers live-action films since the first installment in 2007, sees this project as a chance to explore themes that were previously only touched on in the franchise.
The Challenge of Reimagining Beloved Characters
One of the most exciting—and daunting—challenges for Cooley and di Bonaventura was reimagining characters that have been beloved for generations. Optimus Prime and Megatron, in particular, have become iconic figures in pop culture, and portraying their younger, more vulnerable selves required a delicate balance between respect for the characters’ legacy and injecting fresh storytelling elements.
“Optimus Prime is the epitome of a strong, just leader, but even he wasn’t always perfect,” Cooley explained. “In this film, we see a younger version of him—someone who hasn’t yet become the Optimus Prime we all know. He’s still figuring things out, and that adds a layer of depth to his character.”
On the flip side, Megatron’s transformation from a well-intentioned leader to a ruthless tyrant is a key focus in Transformers One. “We’ve always seen Megatron as the villain, but there’s a deeper story to tell,” di Bonaventura said. “We wanted to explore what motivates him, what pushed him to make the decisions that eventually led him down the path of destruction. It’s not just black and white; there’s complexity there.”
This nuanced portrayal of these iconic characters is a major selling point for the film. Rather than simply being another action-packed installment, Transformers One aims to give fans a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations and the emotional stakes behind the war on Cybertron.
Building the World of Cybertron:
One of the key differences between Transformers One and previous entries in the franchise is its setting. While past films have primarily taken place on Earth, this movie is set entirely on Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers. This shift in setting allows for a more in-depth exploration of Cybertronian society, politics, and culture.
Josh Cooley expressed his excitement about building out the world of Cybertron: “We’re creating a completely new visual language for the planet. Cybertron is this massive, living world with its own history, architecture, and ecosystems. It’s been an incredible experience working with the design team to bring this world to life in a way that feels both familiar to fans and entirely new.”
Lorenzo di Bonaventura added, “Fans have been asking for a Cybertron-focused story for years, and we knew that if we were going to do it, we had to go all-in. This is Cybertron like you’ve never seen it before—there are political factions, different regions with their own unique environments, and so much history that informs the characters’ actions.”
The production team has worked closely with long-time Transformers lore experts to ensure that the portrayal of Cybertron remains true to the franchise’s roots while still introducing new elements to keep the story fresh and exciting.
A Star-Studded Cast:
A major draw for Transformers One is its star-studded voice cast. Chris Hemsworth lends his voice to the young Optimus Prime, bringing a fresh energy to the character. Hemsworth’s ability to balance strength and vulnerability makes him a perfect fit for this version of Optimus, and fans are eager to hear his take on the role.
Meanwhile, Brian Tyree Henry voices Megatron, giving a performance that’s expected to showcase the character’s complex journey from hero to villain. Henry’s ability to convey deep emotion and inner conflict will be essential in bringing Megatron’s arc to life.
The supporting cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, and Laurence Fishburne, among others, all of whom bring their considerable talents to the world of Transformers. Each actor has been carefully chosen to reflect the unique qualities of the characters they portray, and their performances are expected to elevate the film’s emotional and narrative depth.
Animation-Pushing the Boundaries:
Unlike the live-action Transformers films, Transformers One will be an animated feature. This decision was made in part to allow for greater creative freedom in bringing Cybertron to life and in depicting the Transformers themselves in their early, more idealistic forms.
Josh Cooley, having worked in animation for years, sees this as an opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the medium. “Animation allows us to do things that would be impossible or prohibitively expensive in live-action,” he explained. “We can create massive, sweeping environments, have the characters move in ways that feel more true to their robotic nature, and really get creative with the visual storytelling.”
The animation style, while not fully revealed, is expected to blend cutting-edge technology with a more classic Transformers aesthetic. Cooley has emphasized that the team is working hard to strike the right balance between paying homage to the original designs and updating them for a modern audience.
What Transformers One Means for the Future of the Franchise
With Transformers One, the creative team is not just looking to add another chapter to the franchise—they’re hoping to create a new starting point for future stories. By focusing on the origins of the Autobots and Decepticons, Cooley and di Bonaventura are laying the groundwork for potential sequels and spin-offs that could delve even deeper into the rich mythology of the Transformers universe.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura hinted at the broader implications of the film: “This is a movie that opens up a lot of possibilities. There’s so much untapped potential in the Transformers lore, and Transformers One is just the beginning. We’re excited to see where the story can go from here.”
Transformers One is out in the UK & Ireland on 11th October 2024.
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