Final Peter Cullen Performance as Optimus Prime Set for Transformers Anniversary Theatrical Release
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
A new animated short featuring Peter Cullen's final performance as Optimus Prime will accompany the 40th anniversary theatrical rerelease of The Transformers: The Movie this September.
Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment are celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Transformers: The Movie with a theatrical rerelease that carries profound emotional weight for the community. Following the passing of legendary voice actor Peter Cullen at the age of 80, fans are receiving one final opportunity to hear his definitive portrayal of Optimus Prime. The upcoming screenings will feature a brand new animated short titled Optimus Prime: Awakening, which serves as a fitting tribute to both the franchise and its most iconic voice.
As reported by Polygon, the twelve-minute animated project was crafted as a love letter to the global Transformers fanbase and includes final original voice work from Cullen alongside returning franchise stalwart Frank Welker as Megatron and Soundwave. Animation studio The Third Floor handled the visual production for the short, which promises the kind of high stakes and emotional resonance that defined the classic era of the series. Welker shared in a statement that returning to voice the iconic rivalry one last time was a deeply moving experience.
For long time followers and digital collectors who have spent decades tracking the evolution of the franchise across animated series, films, and video game adaptations, Cullen has been the undisputed vocal anchor of childhoods worldwide. The special 4K screenings of the original film, paired with this final cinematic farewell, run from September 17 to 22. It stands as a touching moment of closure for a community that treats these enduring characters as lifelong companions rather than simple nostalgia objects.
Tags: Transformers, Gaming News, Pop Culture, Animation, Retrospective
Original article: Polygon