Comic-Con 2024: Transformers One Panel Recap

As a longtime fan of the Transformers franchise, I was absolutely thrilled to hear about the upcoming animated film, Transformers One. Having grown up with these iconic characters, I can’t help but feel nostalgic every time I see Optimus Prime and Megatron on the big screen.

For over four decades, the excitement surrounding the Transformers series has remained unwavering, with its thrilling action sequences and endearing characters continuing to captivate audiences. This autumn, the tale comes back to life on the cinema screen in the form of the animated film, “Transformers One“. Recently, the movie’s cast and team held a panel at San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H on a Thursday, offering fans an exclusive sneak peek into the upcoming animated project. Here’s a summary of what transpired during the Transformers One panel, complete with never-before-seen footage.

A sizzle reel highlights the on-screen story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, concluding with clips that depict how their relationship evolved.

At the panel, producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, director Josh Cooley, and actors Keegan-Michael Key, Brian Tyree Henry, and Chris Hemsworth made an appearance. In a lighthearted moment, Di Bonaventura quipped that creating the origin story for their project would have required a staggering $500 million budget in live action. He also clarified that there are no human characters involved. Cooley was praised by Di Bonaventura for bringing out the film’s emotional core. Additionally, Di Bonaventura noted that Megatron and Optimus Prime’s future character traits began to emerge too soon during D-16 and Orion Pax’s development.

Cooley shares that the classic “Transformers” cartoon initially captivated him, igniting his interest in animation. He was intrigued by the backstory of how D-16 and Orion Pax evolved into adversaries. Receiving an extensive Transformers history compendium from Hasbro, he felt elated and eager to delve deep into this rich lore, aiming to recreate the joy of playing with toys as a child.

I was thrilled as I watched the first of three clips unfold in the Icon 5000 race at Cyberton’s Olympics. From my vantage point above the starting line, D-16 and Orion Pax argued about participating in the face-off. They hesitated, observing Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm) rallying the crowd below.

Henry was deeply engaged with the Ratchet series as a child, owning a Megatron action figure and being captivated by the idea of delving into the backstory of the villain. As kids, Hemsworth and Henry shared an enthusiasm for the toys and the nostalgic appeal of the franchise. They even joked about becoming close friends, sleeping in bunk beds side by side. Watching each other’s scenes during production enhanced their performances.

Henry aimed to add lightness and advanced cunning to intensify the villain’s power, similar to his portrayal of Spider-Man where he sought to tap into the character’s depth. B-127, portrayed by Key, was attempting to insert himself into their camaraderie. To compensate for Bumblebee’s restricted dialogue in previous works, they encouraged more dialogue from B-127.

As a gamer, I can tell you that in the second part of the gameplay footage, my team and I were lacking our Transformation Coins (T-cogs), which granted us the power to morph into stronger beings. We managed to obtain these crucial items from Alpha Trion, brilliantly portrayed by Lawrence Fishburne. With renewed energy, we outpaced our adversaries just in time. Alpha Trion’s character was reminiscent of Morpheus and Obi-Wan, wise mentors who guided us through our transformative journey.

I have always admired Chris Hemsworth for his ability to pay tribute to those who inspire him, like Peter Cullen. However, as an artist, I believe it’s essential to strive for originality and authenticity in our work. Mimicking the established can be an easy path, but it doesn’t challenge us to grow or push the boundaries of creativity. Instead, Hemsworth chose a more idealistic approach, likely drawing from his own unique experiences and perspectives. This choice not only sets him apart as an artist but also allows him to make a significant impact on his audience.

In the third segment, the High Guard, led by Starscream (Steve Buscemi), abduct the gang. Bumblebee chats excessively. Starscream advocates for every bot to survive on their own. Megatron clashes with him, gaining support from his followers, leaving OP deeply distressed.

A new trailer also plays.

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Transformers One will be released exclusively in theaters on September 20th.

2024-07-26 00:41

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