Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry Talk Transformers One and Peter Cullen’s Legacy

As a seasoned gamer and Transformers enthusiast with decades of nostalgia embedded deep within my memory banks, I must say that I am thoroughly excited about the upcoming animated film, Transformers One. Growing up with the original series, the friendship between Optimus Prime (Orion Pax) and Megatron was a cornerstone of my childhood, and to see this origin story unfold is nothing short of exhilarating.


In a chat, Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry discuss their roles in the animated version of “Transformers One.” Instead of another live-action/CGI movie, Paramount Pictures has opted for an animation this time around for “Transformers One.” Unlike previous films that jumped into the ongoing war between Autobots and Decepticons, “Transformers One” delves into the origin story of these factions and their leaders, Optimus Prime and Megatron, revealing how they were once friends. Let’s listen to what the stars have to say about the filmmaking process.

ComicBook interviewed Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry prior to the release of “Transformers One”. During their chat, they discussed Hemsworth’s character, Orion Pax (a.k.a Optimus Prime). When asked about Peter Cullen’s reaction to his portrayal, Hemsworth mentioned he hadn’t spoken to him yet but hoped he was satisfied. The concern or pressure Hemsworth felt when taking on the role was to avoid imitating what Peter Cullen had done. It was refreshing to add more humor to the character.

In the movie, there was an unexpected playfulness and humor displayed by the character which was delightful. However, towards the end, as he transformed into Optimus, he started to adopt the rhythm and tone reminiscent of the beloved version of Peter’s voice. Overall, it made for a very enjoyable watch.

Brian Tyree Henry compares his Spider-Verse and Transformers characters

Brian Tyree Henry was questioned about the difficulties he encountered while voice acting for Miles Morales’ father, Jeff Morales, within the Spider-Man universe known as Spider-Verse, and for Megatron in the Transformers series, along with their contrasts.

They share a common compassion, don’t they? Initially, I anticipated uttering either ‘I am Megatron’ or ‘Rise up, Decepticons,’ but what truly captivated me was exploring his origins. That revelation stood out to me the most.

“I enjoy listening to him, particularly his lighthearted tone, the hints of fear, and even moments where Megatron shows vulnerability. Hearing him share laughter with another character and discovering he admired other Primes adds an interesting depth to his character for me.

“He emphasized that, for animated characters, it’s crucial that the audience connects with the character’s essence. So, whenever I voice these characters, I always ask myself if the audience will sense their heart at the end of the day. Will they truly understand who these characters are and see their personality through my performance? This was equally important when voicing Megatron.

You can watch the interview in the video player above.

What is Transformers One about?

In a previously unseen account, we delve into the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron – two figures often depicted as bitter adversaries, yet who shared an unbreakable bond akin to brothers. Their relationship played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of their home planet, Cybertron, forever.

In this film, you’ll find renowned actors such as Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, along with Lawrence Fishburne and Jon Hamm lending their voices to the characters.

Transformers One is now playing in theaters.

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2024-09-16 18:40