New Transformers Film with Peter Cullen's Final Performance Announced

Michael McWhertor·Sep 1, 2026·Source

Optimus Prime: Awakening announced for 40th anniversary screenings

Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment are bringing back The Transformers: The Movie for the animated film's 40th anniversary this month, which arrives at a bittersweet time for Transformers fans. In late August, the iconic voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen, died at the age of 80. Fans will get to relish one more performance from Cullen as the Autobot leader, thanks to a new short film that will accompany the 40th anniversary rerelease of The Transformers: The Movie.

First details on Optimus Prime: Awakening

Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment announced Tuesday that Optimus Prime: Awakening is a new "fully realized, 12-minute animated short designed as a love letter to the Transformers community and the late Peter Cullen." Optimus Prime: Awakening will be attached to select screenings of the 4K release of The Transformers: The Movie, which is returning to theaters in 4K from Sept. 17–22. The animated short promises "emotional storytelling [and] electric action" with new performances by Frank Welker (Megatron and Soundwave) and Peter Cullen in his final original voice performance as Optimus Prime.

"Optimus Prime and Megatron were made for each other," Welker said in a statement. "After all, one needs the perfect hero against the epitome of evil to create great drama. Peter’s portrayal of Prime was born of his own personal beliefs; honesty, loyalty, and always insisting on doing the right thing. This made it easy to be friends. Returning as Megatron and Soundwave for one final story opposite Peter’s Optimus in 'Optimus Prime: Awakening' was a real gift. I will miss my friend, but that voice and his heart and values will always be part of Optimus Prime."

In a news release, Hasbro and Fathom said Cullen's return "meant a great deal to him," and that he called it a "homecoming" to the character he had embodied for more than four decades.

Animation studio The Third Floor, known for its work on Predator: Killer of Killers, is behind the animation and visuals of Optimus Prime: Awakening.

Tickets for Transformers: The Movie's rerelease — which has been branded an "Apology Tour" for the movie that killed off Optimus Prime — are on sale at Fathom's website.