Summary

• Transformers One explores the close friendship turned bitter rivalry between Orion Pax and D-16, who will become Optimus Prime and Megatron.
• The movie delves into the origins of Cybertron and the Transformers, showcasing a thriving society before tragedy hits.
• Director Josh Cooley aims to make Transformers One accessible to both newcomers and long-time fans of the franchise, promising a familiar yet fresh experience.

Transformers One has just dropped a fascinating trailer, indicating the prequel will show the origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron on the planet Cybertron. The movie is centered around the close friendship between Orion Pax, who will become Optimus Prime, and D-16, who is destined to become Megatron. Although they begin as brothers-in-arms, they slowly begin to split, eventually becoming enemies and setting in motion the factions that will come into play with the eventual conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons.

Transformers One is an opportunity for fans to discover a new perspective on the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons as they see Cybertron thriving, as well as the friendship between Orion Pax and D-16. The bitter relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron is at the heart of the war between Autobots and Decepticons, with Transformers One bringing out a more personal motivation for their longtime battle. The stunning animation is the perfect way to bring this world to life, especially with the focus on the Transformers and Cybertron a planet made entirely of metal.

In anticipation of the first trailer, Screen Rant interviewed director Josh Cooley about his new animated movie Transformers One. He discussed the casting process and exploring the origins of the iconic Optimus Prime and Megatron. Cooley also explained how Transformers One fits into the canon and shows Cybertron before tragedy befalls it.

Transformers One Director On Exploring The Origins Of Optimus Prime & Megatron

Transformers has been told across various mediums since it first began with animated shows and movies, live-action movies, video games, as well as comics. Cooley's North Star on Transformers One was making sure the audience cares about these characters, especially Orion Pax and D-16. The relationship between Orion Pax and D-16 is at the core of the movie, specifically the friendship they once had before they became Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Josh Cooley: When I first started on this film, knowing it was an origin story was the thing that really got me interested. I've seen all the live actions, I've seen the cartoons, I've seen everything - but this part has never been seen on screen before. I knew that there was a lot of origin to be told, and when I first started, [Hasbro] gave me the Transformers Bible. I could not believe how big it was. I was like, "This is way more than I ever anticipated."

There's been different versions. There have been comic books, and there's been all sorts of things. Obviously, there's just too much to actually go through and study the entire thing of, but I got the Greatest Hits version. But for me, regardless of the plot and regardless of how every single detail works, the most important thing was none of that would work if it wasn't for the characters.

As long as the audience cares about these characters from the very beginning and believes in their relationship, [that's what we need] for this film. Even if you've never seen Transformers before, even if you've never read the comics, nothing - you can watch this movie and be totally invested. You see these two characters and go, "Yeah, they're great together." Orion and D-16 before they become Optimus and Megatron? They're awesome.

You want to see them together, you want to love them together, so that when the relationship starts to fall apart, it's a tragedy. At the end of it, you're just like, "Oh, man, it sucks that they're going to become enemies." Regardless of all the different tellings of the origin, the most important thing was that relationship.

They did have these different names before Optimus became a Prime, he was Orion Pax, and he had a different upbringing, a different life, and a different job. And the way that he met D-16 varies as well; there are different versions of their relationship. But it was always in a supportive manner; they are both coming together in a joint effort in some version, and then things happen that affect the relationship. Using their names was harkening back to the way that they're always depicted.

"We've Never Seen Cybertron When Things Are Going Well"

Cybertron has been a key piece of the Transformers' story from the beginning. Even when the story is set on Earth, Cybertron is still vital to who the Transformers are. With Transformers One Cooley has the opportunity to show the beauty of the entirely metal planet that the Transformers come from. The movie will also explore the society that the Transformers come from, including where Orion Pax fit into the hierarchy before he became Optimus Prime.

Josh Cooley: That was one of the things that got me really excited about this film from the very beginning. We've never seen Cybertron when things are going well. We were always seeing it when it's dying or falling apart or about to blow up, and they have to leave to go to Earth. Knowing that their entire planet is made of metal - which is fascinating, because I've never seen that before on screen and wonder what that looks like - I was excited to see what that could be. And also just to see what looks like everything's going great.

We looked at all the different versions of Cybertron, how it's been depicted, and we're going, "How can we make ours different but also stay true to it? And also cool and someplace you want to be?" Because, actually Cybertron is what's at stake for their entire species. They want to stay there, and they're fighting for it later on. You want to you want to love this place and want to be there as an audience member.

I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I will say that there is a hierarchy on this planet that our characters are not at the top of, which is what people would anticipate them to be. Optimus Prime is the number one guy, but this is an origin story, so he has to earn that. Same thing with Megatron. As D-16, they're in this pecking order, and we get to see why. How's that for a very spoiler-free answer?

Cooley confirmed that Transformers One is in fact canon while still being "its own thing." He explained how exactly it fits into the larger canon of the Transformers story.

Josh Cooley: This is its own thing. It definitely is canon, and we are working within the world. We're not deviating from the canon of Transformers; these are the same characters that people know and love. But we're just showing them in a different way and in a different timeframe.

Transformers One Director Explains Why Chris Hemsworth Is The Perfect Orion Pax aka Optimus Prime

Transformers One has a stacked cast with Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Brian Tyree Henry, and Keegan Michael Key lending their voices to these legendary characters. Cooley broke down what he was looking for in the voice of Orion Pax and why Hemsworth was the perfect choice. He also broke down what the other cast members bring to D-16, Elita 1, and B-127 aka Bumblebee.

Josh Cooley: Man, what a cast. So lucky. Orion Pax was probably one of the toughest ones because, obviously, everybody knows Optimus Prime. You don't even need to know what Transformers is, but if you hear that voice and see that look of Optimus Prime, people know that's Transformers.

We're doing a younger version in the timeline of Optimus Prime. I knew from day one that we're not going to do teenage versions. This has to be close to what we know, and Chris' voice just had the volume and the presence that made me believe he could be a younger Optimus. He uses his American accent, so I'm very excited for audiences to hear him, because I think they're gonna be pleasantly surprised. He gives a fantastic performance.

With Brian Tyree, it was important to me D-16 was a real character and not a bad guy. I wanted to make sure that you almost fall in love with him immediately, and Brian can do that. He's got the humor, he's got the acting chops, he can do drama - he can do anything. Hearing the two of them together, I was like, "Totally!" I love hearing them together. It's just so much fun.

B-127 has always been a silent character, so we were thinking it'd be fun to go the opposite direction before he gets damaged or whatever happens to his voice. On Cybertron, he just never stops talking. I've worked with Keegan before, and he's just a master. It's just an easy thing to say because he's so great at everything, and he's so funny. That was kind of a no-brainer. Eleta-1 is such a fun strong character. I had been working with Scarlett on another project, and it was just a no-brainer. The second we needed another Transformer, I was like, "Scarlett, please..." And she agreed to it.

While the story is centered around Orion Pax and D-16 along with B-127 and Elita-1 the world of Cybertron is populated by numerous recognizable characters from the Transformers canon. Cooley explained the process of choosing who to include in the movie while staying true to the relationships at the heart of the story. He also broke down why Transformers has stood the test of time for over 40 years.

Josh Cooley: I'm way more versed in it now than I was when it first began. But there are so many different characters throughout this, and we tried to include as many as we possibly could that were ones people knew automatically, like Optimus and Megatron and Bumblebee and even Elita. But it was just about who the best characters are to support the relationship and to support Orion and D-16's relationship and what were the best ones to really push and pull on that and to support that.

I think that there is something that is almost mythical about these characters. Their stories are so much larger than anything else, no pun intended. The way I was thinking of Orion and D-16 is almost biblical, like Cain and Abel. I feel that, even in the original cartoon, they get down to the mythical elements of storytelling. It doesn't really matter that they are huge robots, the characters really have these beliefs that they stand up for, and they're just heroes.

Transformers One Is Perfect For Newcomers & Long Time Fans

Transformers is a franchise that spans generations with parents introducing their children to the characters and stories that they love. Transformers One is the perfect way to honor the franchise that, so many have loved all their lives and bring in a new audience to appreciate these characters.

Josh Cooley: The feeling I want for this film is for anybody to go see it. Anybody who doesn't know a single thing about Transformers can come into this completely cold and be totally entertained. But for the fans, I hope you go in thinking, "This is how I remember Transformers feeling." That feeling you got when you were watching it growing up, or while watching the live-action films? This is just more of what you already loved, and I'm just excited for the audience to see that.

Cooley's love for this franchise is palpable and is sure to shine on the big screen. While he does tend to side with the Autobots in their ongoing conflict his love for the Decepticons is clear in how he appreciates the complex dynamic characters on both sides.

Josh Cooley: Oh, man. You know what's funny? I have this shirt. You remember the toys that you put your finger on so the heat from your finger would reveal what they are? I have a shirt that's just that shape because I could not choose. There are so many great characters, and they have good reasons for being who they are. Autobots are doing the right thing, so I guess I gotta say Autobots, but there are great characters on the Decepticon side too.

About Transformers One

The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever

Transformers One hits theaters on September 20.