MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)

2026-04-30T23:50:17Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

{{album
|series=''[[Transformers One (film)|Transformers One]] (Music from the Motion Picture)''
|image=TF-One-OST-Cover.jpg
|caption=
|label=[[Paramount Pictures]]/[[Milan]]
|releasedate=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|prodnumber=
|asin=B0DG3L9615
|prev=
|next=
}}
'''''Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)''''' is the score album from the [[Transformers One (film)|accompanying animated film]], containing original music composed by [[Brian Tyler]]. The main theme was released as a single on [[September 13]], with the full album dropping a week later in tandem with the film's release.

==Track Titles, Length & Description==
# Transformers One Theme (7:09) - Concert suite that showcases the film's three major leitmotifs (the core cast, the Primes, and [[Sentinel Prime (One) |Sentinel Prime]])
# Birth of [[Thirteen|the Primes]] (2:57) - Concert suite for the opening archives scene.
# [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] (2:40) - Concert suite for Orion.
# Destiny of the Primes (5:25) - Another concert suite for the Primes.
# Transform the Dark (1:40) - An action-focused concert suite.
# Metal to the Pedal (3:15) - [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] leads her unit down to the energon mines.
# Memory of the Forgotten (2:05) - A more solemn rendition of the main theme.
# The Contenders (1:55) - Sentinel kicks off the annual [[Iacon 5000]].
# Trespaxxing (2:08) - Orion looks at the data archives left behind by [[Alpha Trion#One_film|Alpha Trion]].
# More than Meets the Eye - Orion and [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] hijack and compete in the frantic race.
# Escape to the Surface (3:08) - The core four take a ride on the energon mine train up to the surface of Cybertron.
# Resting Place of the Primes (3:59) - The miners enter the [[Mouth of Unicron]] to find the bodies of the Primes.
# The Ultimate Betrayal (3:19) - Alpha Trion recounts the Primes' final battle against Sentinel.
# Echelon Now (3:05) - A suite that's a more {{w|Vangelis}}-inspired take on the film's theme.
# New [[Transformation cog (biology)|Cog]] Potential (2:49) - The foursome are given transformation cogs by Alpha Trion...
# [[Alpha Trion|Alpha's]] Orders (2:28) - ...who tells them to reveal the truth about Sentinel and return to Iacon immediately.
# Hidden Truth (3:20) - D-16's hatred for the false Prime grows, as does Orion's concern for his wellbeing.
# [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] (4:00) - The [[High Guard]] capture the four bots, only to be ambushed by [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] and her [[Death Tracker|Death Trackers]].
# Sealed Fate (3:28) - D-16 stands up against Sentinel as Orion descends into Iacon.
# Together as One (2:12) - Orion informs his fellow miners of Sentinel's true colors.
# Coming of the Guard (3:10) - Elita, Shockwave and Soundwave lead the High Guard's assault on Sentinel's tower.
# The Battle for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] (1:55) - Orion, Elita, and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] publicly broadcast Airachnid's memory, ruining Sentinel's reputation.
# Prime Reason (3:15) - D-16 prepares to enact his sense of justice against the false Prime in the middle of Iacon.
# The Fall (3:37) - As one Prime falls, another rises.
# Battle of the Titans (2:28) - Optimus Prime reluctantly duels his former best friend, now by the name of Megatron.
# I Am Optimus Prime (3:53) - The newly-christened Prime unleashes the Matrix of Leadership, letting the energon flow freely and cogging up his miner friends to become his Autobots.
# Transformers One End Title (0:59) - The main-on-ends.

==Notes==
* Tracks 1-5, 7, and 14 do not appear in the film, but instead are suites of themes used throughout the movie.
* The tracks used in the film are also slightly out of order, with "Trespaxxing" appearing at the very beginning and "Hidden Truth" appearing right after "The Ultimate Betrayal."
* A section of the film's main theme soundtrack for this film repurposes a secondary theme from the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' score. Fittingly, it is used to represent the Thirteen Primes in this film, with its first appearance occurring at 3:54 into the main theme suite. It later appears in "More Than Meets The Eye," "Resting Place of the Primes," and "The Fall".
* "The Fall" interpolates ''{{w|Dies irae}}'' ("Day of Wrath" in Latin), an oft-quoted four-note passage from {{w|Requiem|the Catholic Requiem Mass}}, which is commonly used to represent death or tragedy in film scores. As such, this means it very strongly resembles "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Quite the appropriate easter egg.
* Tyler incorporated a Yamaha CS-80 into the score to pay tribute to Vangelis, which the composer cites as an influence.

{{DEFAULTSORT:One — Music}}
[[Category:Albums]]

Transformers Prime: Music from the Animated Series

2026-04-30T23:45:02Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

{{Nav-Prime}}

{{album
|series=''Transformers Prime'': Music from the Animated Series: Season One
|image=Prime S1 soundtrack.jpg
|caption=
|label=[[Lakeshore Records]]
|releasedate=[[March 20]], [[2012]]
|prodnumber=
|asin=B0072LRGDE
|prev=
|next=
}}

'''''Transformers: Prime'': Music from the Animated Series: Season One''' is an album of [[Brian Tyler]]'s score for the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)| Prime]]'' TV series, which was released on [[March 20]], [[2012]].

==Track listing==
#''Transformers Prime''
#Optimus Prime Returns
#One Shall Rise
#Dreadwing
#In Defense of Humanity
#We Have Returned
#Relentless Pursuit
#This is Your Home Now
#Autobot Stratagum
#Battle in the Energon Mine
#Proximity Sensors
#Cutting It a Bit Close
#The Cons Are Back
#RC on the Move
#Always Welcome
#Arachnid
#The Space Bridge
#Dogfight
#Bumblebee
#Next Day after School
#Cybertron
#Megatron on the Move
#The Construct
#Prime Finale
#''Transformers Prime'' End Title

==Notes==
* Teehee... "Stratagum."
* [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid's]] names are notably misspelled here, giving one the impression that ''Prime's'' story involves a mobile Remote Control and a spider.
* The heroic four-note passage most prominently featured in tracks such as "Optimus Prime Returns" and "In Defense of Humanity" would later be repurposed for the [[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)|''Transformers One'' score]], which was also composed by Brian Tyler.
* Tyler [https://vgmdb.net/artist/6391 employed the services] of the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra to record the soundtrack and, according to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJrCglN2QMQ an interview with Lakeshore Records], "front-loaded" the orchestral recordings and created a music library that editors could utilize in various episodes. This was to avoid the logistical and financial nightmare of gathering a live orchestra to record music for a television show on a per-episode basis.

[[Category:Albums]]
[[Category:Prime media]]

Transformers Prime: Music from the Animated Series

2026-04-30T23:44:09Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

{{Nav-Prime}}

{{album
|series=''Transformers Prime'': Music from the Animated Series: Season One
|image=Prime S1 soundtrack.jpg
|caption=
|label=[[Lakeshore Records]]
|releasedate=[[March 20]], [[2012]]
|prodnumber=
|asin=B0072LRGDE
|prev=
|next=
}}

'''''Transformers: Prime'': Music from the Animated Series: Season One''' is an album of [[Brian Tyler]]'s score for the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)| Prime]]'' TV series, which was released on [[March 20]], [[2012]].

==Track listing==
#''Transformers Prime''
#Optimus Prime Returns
#One Shall Rise
#Dreadwing
#In Defense of Humanity
#We Have Returned
#Relentless Pursuit
#This is Your Home Now
#Autobot Stratagum
#Battle in the Energon Mine
#Proximity Sensors
#Cutting It a Bit Close
#The Cons Are Back
#RC on the Move
#Always Welcome
#Arachnid
#The Space Bridge
#Dogfight
#Bumblebee
#Next Day after School
#Cybertron
#Megatron on the Move
#The Construct
#Prime Finale
#''Transformers Prime'' End Title

==Notes==
* Teehee... "Stratagum."
* [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid's]] names are notably misspelled here, giving one the impression that ''Prime's'' story involves a mobile Remote Control and a spider.
* The heroic four-note passage most prominently featured in tracks such as "Optimus Prime Returns" and "In Defense of Humanity" would later be repurposed for the [[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)|''Transformers One'' score]], which was also composed by Brian Tyler.
* Tyler [https://vgmdb.net/album/44127| employed the services] of the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra to record the soundtrack and, according to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJrCglN2QMQ| an interview with Lakeshore Records], "front-loaded" the orchestral recordings and created a music library that editors could utilize in various episodes. This was to avoid the logistical and financial nightmare of gathering a live orchestra to record music for a television show on a per-episode basis.

[[Category:Albums]]
[[Category:Prime media]]

Transformers Prime: Music from the Animated Series

2026-04-30T23:43:47Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

{{Nav-Prime}}

{{album
|series=''Transformers Prime'': Music from the Animated Series: Season One
|image=Prime S1 soundtrack.jpg
|caption=
|label=[[Lakeshore Records]]
|releasedate=[[March 20]], [[2012]]
|prodnumber=
|asin=B0072LRGDE
|prev=
|next=
}}

'''''Transformers: Prime'': Music from the Animated Series: Season One''' is an album of [[Brian Tyler]]'s score for the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)| Prime]]'' TV series, which was released on [[March 20]], [[2012]].

==Track listing==
#''Transformers Prime''
#Optimus Prime Returns
#One Shall Rise
#Dreadwing
#In Defense of Humanity
#We Have Returned
#Relentless Pursuit
#This is Your Home Now
#Autobot Stratagum
#Battle in the Energon Mine
#Proximity Sensors
#Cutting It a Bit Close
#The Cons Are Back
#RC on the Move
#Always Welcome
#Arachnid
#The Space Bridge
#Dogfight
#Bumblebee
#Next Day after School
#Cybertron
#Megatron on the Move
#The Construct
#Prime Finale
#''Transformers Prime'' End Title

==Notes==
* Teehee... "Stratagum."
* [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid's]] names are notably misspelled here, giving one the impression that ''Prime's'' story involves a mobile Remote Control and a spider.
* The heroic four-note passage most prominently featured in tracks such as "Optimus Prime Returns" and "In Defense of Humanity" would later be repurposed for the [[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)|''Transformers One'' score]], which was also composed by Brian Tyler.
* Tyler [https://vgmdb.net/album/44127|employed the services] of the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra to record the soundtrack and, according to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJrCglN2QMQ|an interview with Lakeshore Records], "front-loaded" the orchestral recordings and created a music library that editors could utilize in various episodes. This was to avoid the logistical and financial nightmare of gathering a live orchestra to record music for a television show on a per-episode basis.

[[Category:Albums]]
[[Category:Prime media]]

Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)

2026-01-19T20:14:44Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

{{album
|series=''[[Transformers One (film)|Transformers One]] (Music from the Motion Picture)''
|image=TF-One-OST-Cover.jpg
|caption=
|label=[[Paramount Pictures]]/[[Milan]]
|releasedate=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|prodnumber=
|asin=B0DG3L9615
|prev=
|next=
}}
'''''Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)''''' is the score album from the [[Transformers One (film)|accompanying animated film]], containing original music composed by [[Brian Tyler]]. The main theme was released as a single on [[September 13]], with the full album dropping a week later in tandem with the film's release.

==Track Titles, Length & Description==
# Transformers One Theme (7:09) - Concert suite that showcases the film's three major leitmotifs (the core cast, the Primes, and [[Sentinel Prime (One) |Sentinel Prime]])
# Birth of [[Thirteen|the Primes]] (2:57) - Concert suite for the opening archives scene.
# [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] (2:40) - Concert suite for Orion.
# Destiny of the Primes (5:25) - Another concert suite for the Primes.
# Transform the Dark (1:40) - An action-focused concert suite.
# Metal to the Pedal (3:15) - [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] leads her unit down to the energon mines.
# Memory of the Forgotten (2:05) - A more solemn rendition of the main theme.
# The Contenders (1:55) - Sentinel kicks off the annual [[Iacon 5000]].
# Trespaxxing (2:08) - Orion looks at the data archives left behind by [[Alpha Trion#One_film|Alpha Trion]].
# More than Meets the Eye - Orion and [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] hijack and compete in the frantic race.
# Escape to the Surface (3:08) - The core four take a ride on the energon mine train up to the surface of Cybertron.
# Resting Place of the Primes (3:59) - The miners enter the [[Mouth of Unicron]] to find the bodies of the Primes.
# The Ultimate Betrayal (3:19) - Alpha Trion recounts the Primes' final battle against Sentinel.
# Echelon Now (3:05) - A suite that's a more {{w|Vangelis}}-inspired take on the film's theme.
# New [[Transformation cog (biology)|Cog]] Potential (2:49) - The foursome are given transformation cogs by Alpha Trion...
# [[Alpha Trion|Alpha's]] Orders (2:28) - ...who tells them to reveal the truth about Sentinel and return to Iacon immediately.
# Hidden Truth (3:20) - D-16's hatred for the false Prime grows, as does Orion's concern for his wellbeing.
# [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] (4:00) - The [[High Guard]] capture the four bots, only to be ambushed by [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] and her [[Death Tracker|Death Trackers]].
# Sealed Fate (3:28) - D-16 stands up against Sentinel as Orion descends into Iacon.
# Together as One (2:12) - Orion informs his fellow miners of Sentinel's true colors.
# Coming of the Guard (3:10) - Elita, Shockwave and Soundwave lead the High Guard's assault on Sentinel's tower.
# The Battle for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] (1:55) - Orion, Elita, and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] publicly broadcast Airachnid's memory, ruining Sentinel's reputation.
# Prime Reason (3:15) - D-16 prepares to enact his sense of justice against the false Prime in the middle of Iacon.
# The Fall (3:37) - As one Prime falls, another rises.
# Battle of the Titans (2:28) - Optimus Prime reluctantly duels his former best friend, now by the name of Megatron.
# I Am Optimus Prime (3:53) - The newly-christened Prime unleashes the Matrix of Leadership, letting the energon flow freely and cogging up his miner friends to become his Autobots.
# Transformers One End Title (0:59) - The main-on-ends.

==Notes==
* Tracks 1-5, 7, and 14 do not appear in the film, but instead are suites of themes used throughout the movie.
* The tracks used in the film are also slightly out of order, with "Trespaxxing" appearing at the very beginning and "Hidden Truth" appearing right after "The Ultimate Betrayal."
* A section of the film's main theme soundtrack for this film repurposes a secondary theme from the ''[[Transformers Prime]]'' score. Fittingly, it is used to represent the Thirteen Primes in this film, with its first appearance occurring at 3:54 into the main theme suite. It later appears in "More Than Meets The Eye," "Resting Place of the Primes," and "The Fall".
* "The Fall" interpolates ''{{w|Dies irae}}'' ("Day of Wrath" in Latin), an oft-quoted four-note passage from {{w|Requiem|the Catholic Requiem Mass}}, which is commonly used to represent death or tragedy in film scores. As such, this means it very strongly resembles "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Quite the appropriate easter egg.

{{DEFAULTSORT:One — Music}}
[[Category:Albums]]

Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)

2026-01-19T20:14:03Z

UnknownMorsel:

{{album
|series=''[[Transformers One (film)|Transformers One]] (Music from the Motion Picture)''
|image=TF-One-OST-Cover.jpg
|caption=
|label=[[Paramount Pictures]]/[[Milan]]
|releasedate=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|prodnumber=
|asin=B0DG3L9615
|prev=
|next=
}}
'''''Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)''''' is the score album from the [[Transformers One (film)|accompanying animated film]], containing original music composed by [[Brian Tyler]]. The main theme was released as a single on [[September 13]], with the full album dropping a week later in tandem with the film's release.

==Track Titles, Length & Description==
# Transformers One Theme (7:09) - Concert suite that showcases the film's three major leitmotifs (the core cast, the Primes, and [[Sentinel Prime (One) |Sentinel Prime]])
# Birth of [[Thirteen|the Primes]] (2:57) - Concert suite for the opening archives scene.
# [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] (2:40) - Concert suite for Orion.
# Destiny of the Primes (5:25) - Another concert suite for the Primes.
# Transform the Dark (1:40) - An action-focused concert suite.
# Metal to the Pedal (3:15) - [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] leads her unit down to the energon mines.
# Memory of the Forgotten (2:05) - A more solemn rendition of the main theme.
# The Contenders (1:55) - Sentinel kicks off the annual [[Iacon 5000]].
# Trespaxxing (2:08) - Orion looks at the data archives left behind by [[Alpha Trion#One_film|Alpha Trion]].
# More than Meets the Eye - Orion and [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] hijack and compete in the frantic race.
# Escape to the Surface (3:08) - The core four take a ride on the energon mine train up to the surface of Cybertron.
# Resting Place of the Primes (3:59) - The miners enter the [[Mouth of Unicron]] to find the bodies of the Primes.
# The Ultimate Betrayal (3:19) - Alpha Trion recounts the Primes' final battle against Sentinel.
# Echelon Now (3:05) - A suite that's a more {{w|Vangelis}}-inspired take on the film's theme.
# New [[Transformation cog (biology)|Cog]] Potential (2:49) - The foursome are given transformation cogs by Alpha Trion...
# [[Alpha Trion|Alpha's]] Orders (2:28) - ...who tells them to reveal the truth about Sentinel and return to Iacon immediately.
# Hidden Truth (3:20) - D-16's hatred for the false Prime grows, as does Orion's concern for his wellbeing.
# [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] (4:00) - The [[High Guard]] capture the four bots, only to be ambushed by [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] and her [[Death Tracker|Death Trackers]].
# Sealed Fate (3:28) - D-16 stands up against Sentinel as Orion descends into Iacon.
# Together as One (2:12) - Orion informs his fellow miners of Sentinel's true colors.
# Coming of the Guard (3:10) - Elita, Shockwave and Soundwave lead the High Guard's assault on Sentinel's tower.
# The Battle for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] (1:55) - Orion, Elita, and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] publicly broadcast Airachnid's memory, ruining Sentinel's reputation.
# Prime Reason (3:15) - D-16 prepares to enact his sense of justice against the false Prime in the middle of Iacon.
# The Fall (3:37) - As one Prime falls, another rises.
# Battle of the Titans (2:28) - Optimus Prime reluctantly duels his former best friend, now by the name of Megatron.
# I Am Optimus Prime (3:53) - The newly-christened Prime unleashes the Matrix of Leadership, letting the energon flow freely and cogging up his miner friends to become his Autobots.
# Transformers One End Title (0:59) - The main-on-ends.

==Notes==
* Tracks 1-5, 7, and 14 do not appear in the film, but instead are suites of themes used throughout the movie.
* The tracks used in the film are also slightly out of order, with "Trespaxxing" appearing at the very beginning and "Hidden Truth" appearing right after "The Ultimate Betrayal."
* A section of the film's main theme soundtrack for this film repurposes a secondary theme from the ''[[Transformers Prime (cartoon)| Transformers Prime]]'' score. Fittingly, it is used to represent the Thirteen Primes in this film, with its first appearance occurring at 3:54 into the main theme suite. It later appears in "More Than Meets The Eye," "Resting Place of the Primes," and "The Fall".
* "The Fall" interpolates ''{{w|Dies irae}}'' ("Day of Wrath" in Latin), an oft-quoted four-note passage from {{w|Requiem|the Catholic Requiem Mass}}, which is commonly used to represent death or tragedy in film scores. As such, this means it very strongly resembles "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Quite the appropriate easter egg.

{{DEFAULTSORT:One — Music}}
[[Category:Albums]]

Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)

2026-01-19T20:13:12Z

UnknownMorsel: Shortening summary

{{album
|series=''[[Transformers One (film)|Transformers One]] (Music from the Motion Picture)''
|image=TF-One-OST-Cover.jpg
|caption=
|label=[[Paramount Pictures]]/[[Milan]]
|releasedate=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|prodnumber=
|asin=B0DG3L9615
|prev=
|next=
}}
'''''Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)''''' is the score album from the [[Transformers One (film)|accompanying animated film]], containing original music composed by [[Brian Tyler]]. The main theme was released as a single on [[September 13]], with the full 85-minute album releasing in tandem with the film a week later.

==Track Titles, Length & Description==
# Transformers One Theme (7:09) - Concert suite that showcases the film's three major leitmotifs (the core cast, the Primes, and [[Sentinel Prime (One) |Sentinel Prime]])
# Birth of [[Thirteen|the Primes]] (2:57) - Concert suite for the opening archives scene.
# [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] (2:40) - Concert suite for Orion.
# Destiny of the Primes (5:25) - Another concert suite for the Primes.
# Transform the Dark (1:40) - An action-focused concert suite.
# Metal to the Pedal (3:15) - [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] leads her unit down to the energon mines.
# Memory of the Forgotten (2:05) - A more solemn rendition of the main theme.
# The Contenders (1:55) - Sentinel kicks off the annual [[Iacon 5000]].
# Trespaxxing (2:08) - Orion looks at the data archives left behind by [[Alpha Trion#One_film|Alpha Trion]].
# More than Meets the Eye - Orion and [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] hijack and compete in the frantic race.
# Escape to the Surface (3:08) - The core four take a ride on the energon mine train up to the surface of Cybertron.
# Resting Place of the Primes (3:59) - The miners enter the [[Mouth of Unicron]] to find the bodies of the Primes.
# The Ultimate Betrayal (3:19) - Alpha Trion recounts the Primes' final battle against Sentinel.
# Echelon Now (3:05) - A suite that's a more {{w|Vangelis}}-inspired take on the film's theme.
# New [[Transformation cog (biology)|Cog]] Potential (2:49) - The foursome are given transformation cogs by Alpha Trion...
# [[Alpha Trion|Alpha's]] Orders (2:28) - ...who tells them to reveal the truth about Sentinel and return to Iacon immediately.
# Hidden Truth (3:20) - D-16's hatred for the false Prime grows, as does Orion's concern for his wellbeing.
# [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] (4:00) - The [[High Guard]] capture the four bots, only to be ambushed by [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] and her [[Death Tracker|Death Trackers]].
# Sealed Fate (3:28) - D-16 stands up against Sentinel as Orion descends into Iacon.
# Together as One (2:12) - Orion informs his fellow miners of Sentinel's true colors.
# Coming of the Guard (3:10) - Elita, Shockwave and Soundwave lead the High Guard's assault on Sentinel's tower.
# The Battle for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] (1:55) - Orion, Elita, and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] publicly broadcast Airachnid's memory, ruining Sentinel's reputation.
# Prime Reason (3:15) - D-16 prepares to enact his sense of justice against the false Prime in the middle of Iacon.
# The Fall (3:37) - As one Prime falls, another rises.
# Battle of the Titans (2:28) - Optimus Prime reluctantly duels his former best friend, now by the name of Megatron.
# I Am Optimus Prime (3:53) - The newly-christened Prime unleashes the Matrix of Leadership, letting the energon flow freely and cogging up his miner friends to become his Autobots.
# Transformers One End Title (0:59) - The main-on-ends.

==Notes==
* Tracks 1-5, 7, and 14 do not appear in the film, but instead are suites of themes used throughout the movie.
* The tracks used in the film are also slightly out of order, with "Trespaxxing" appearing at the very beginning and "Hidden Truth" appearing right after "The Ultimate Betrayal."
* A section of the film's main theme soundtrack for this film repurposes a secondary theme from the ''[[Transformers Prime (cartoon)| Transformers Prime]]'' score. Fittingly, it is used to represent the Thirteen Primes in this film, with its first appearance occurring at 3:54 into the main theme suite. It later appears in "More Than Meets The Eye," "Resting Place of the Primes," and "The Fall".
* "The Fall" interpolates ''{{w|Dies irae}}'' ("Day of Wrath" in Latin), an oft-quoted four-note passage from {{w|Requiem|the Catholic Requiem Mass}}, which is commonly used to represent death or tragedy in film scores. As such, this means it very strongly resembles "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Quite the appropriate easter egg.

{{DEFAULTSORT:One — Music}}
[[Category:Albums]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-11-09T15:59:51Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Quotes */ Expanded quote, made it more accurate

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]] [[Greg Moordain]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=$128 million<ref>https://the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-One-(2024)#tab=summary</ref>
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Eric Pearson]], [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] from a story by Barrer and Ferrari,<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an [[Cogless|underclass]] of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially their fellow cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty, only to become horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back, the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders.]]
Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a [[Mouth of Unicron|hidden and extremely creepy cave]]. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror: the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, their bodies lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spotted the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape, but is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor. In their excitement, they fail to notice a Tracker about to shoot them from behind until D-16 uses his new tank mode to kill him first... and then starts laughing at what he just did. D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as D-16 crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as D-16 manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''[[Roll out|Transform and ROLL OUT]]!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

[[File:TFOneSentinelvsD16.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened.]]
Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a ''very'' over-enthusiastic entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he vows he is ''done'' saving Orion from his mistakes and lets his dying friend plummet into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes as Trion announce that Primus has deemed him worthy for the future of Cybertron and to carry the Matrix of Leadership, reformatting Orion and restoring his spark to declare him the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", before being sent rocketing back to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. During their fight, Optimus manifests an energy battle axe to fight against Megatron along with Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave before using it to destroy Megatron's new cannon, ultimately winning their fight. Unwilling to kill his oldest friend, Optimus reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen#One film|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen#One film|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime#One film|Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime#One film|Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo#One film|Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime#One film|Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime#One film|Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime#One film|Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima#One film|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime#One film|Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime#One film|Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime#One film|Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Control Room Guys]] (Josh Cooley)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Let me guess. Chased out of the archive?" 
"Yeah. I had to jump out of a window this time. Almost died. It was wild." 
"And digging through ancient data is worth dying for?" 
"Yes, it is." 
"Oh, I need a new best friend..."
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' meet up before their shift.

"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"Every day. Every ''single day'' of my life. Has been... a lie! You just '''had''' to do it, didn't you?" 
"Me? What did I do?" 
"You just had to go to the surface, had to enter the Iacon 5000, you just '''HAD''' to break protocol!" 
"Who cares about protocol?" 
"'''I do'''! I care! Because nothing bad happens when you ''stay on protocol!''" 
"Sentinel Prime has been forcing us to work in the mines until our gears strip. And all the while he's been giving our Energon away to our greatest enemies!" 
"Uh, and what do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not ''thinking'' about what he's going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax 'master plan'! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.'' But we all know it doesn't matter what I want, ''right'', Pax? The fact is, we're just cogless bots. Right? We had limited options, and now... now we have ''none''."
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in his chest, but the spark in that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. My fellow Primes had that spark. And I see their strength in you. Take their cogs and access your full potential. Prima. Onyx. Alchemist. Micronus. Warriors of noble spirit, loyalty, strength. Their uniqueness enhanced by these. They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
"Wait. We have... You-- You gave us..." 
"The ability to change your world. How you choose to use that power is up to you."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates '''Orion Pax''' and our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

'''Starscream''': Now, are you spies, or incompetent lackeys? 
'''Orion Pax''': We're not spies. 
'''Elita-1''': But he is incompetent.
:—Elita-1 on her boss-to-be

"Uh... why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Hey! What are you doing?" 
"I'll tell you what I'm not doing. I'm not cowering in some busted ship, playing king of the throne. I'm not pretending that I'm making a difference by throwing one punch and running away to hide. I found out that Sentinel is rotten today, and I'm going to make him pay for it! TODAY!" 
"You think you can insult me and just walk away? No one leaves unless I say so." 
"Is that right? Well, how can you say so... with my head in your teeth?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''D-16''', right before he beats the living scrap out of him.

"Bear witness! ''This'' is the '''last''' time I show mercy! Decide right now! You can stay here in hiding, bowing before your pathetic leader, or follow me as we march on Iacon and I take down Sentinel '''ONCE AND FOR ALL!'''"
:—'''D-16''', as he usurps the High Guard's leadership from Starscream.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening?" 
[Orion looks up at Elita] 
"I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you." 
"I'm better than you in every way, ''except'' you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep talk?" 
"You're inspiring. You can envision a better future that no one else can see. If you ever want to see B and D-16 again, that, ''that'' is the Orion Pax that we need right now. Listen to me. We can do this."
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

'''Jazz''': "Is that... Orion?" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Jazz." 
'''Jazz''': "Is it really you?" 
'''Orion''': "Yeah, I know I, uh, look a little... different." 
'''Jazz''': "Little? There's nothing 'little' about you." 
'''Ironhide''': "Uh- How is this possible?" 
'''Moonracer''': "Sentinel told us you died from your race injuries!" 
'''Orion''': "Sentinel is a '''liar'''." 
'''Arcee''': "Huh?" 
'''Ironhide''': "What?" 
'''Orion''': "Look, I know how this will sound coming from me. I was never the most... ''focused'' miner, but as you can see, everything is different now. I went to the surface. And I learned the truth. My friends, we were ''all'' born with transformation cogs. And then Sentinel, ''he stole them from us.'' '''He took away our ability to make our own decisions.''' '''''He stole our freedom.''''' But now, I'm offering you your first '''real choice'''. You can work a twenty-third shift and mine yourself to death, or fight back against Sentinel with me. Right now." 
'''Sideswipe''': "How are we supposed to do that?" 
'''Arcee''': "We can't fight. We don't have cogs." 
'''Orion''': "What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest, but the spark that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. And that spark, Sentinel can ''never'' take from us." 
'''Jazz''': "There's not enough of us. We need an army." 
'''Orion''': "And we have one. Elita is bringing troops. We are not alone in this. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me. Nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—And with the miners chanting his name, Orion Pax delivers his first heroic speech.

''(Airachnid opens the back of her head to reveal'' dozens ''of eyes.)'' 
"You can't defeat me, miner. ''I see '''everything.'''''" 
"That's right, you do, except the tower we're about to crash into."
:—'''Airachnid''' gets creepy and '''Orion Pax''' gets an idea.

"You pathetic little twits! Did you really think that you could knock down what I've built?" 
"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so that I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' teaches '''Orion Pax''' that he won't go down without a fight.

"What's wrong, D-16? Rise up!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' mockingly gives D-16 his future slogan.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—'''D-16''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"The Age of Primes has ended! '''NO MORE FALSE PROPHETS'''! Follow me, and you will ''never again'' be ''deceived!'' '''RISE UP!''' ''I'' will lead us all into the future! ''I...'' '''AM...''' '''''MEGATRON!'''''"
:—With the death of Sentinel Prime, '''D-16''' renames himself as '''Megatron'''

"''Orion Pax.'' Your noble sacrifice for the greater good has proven you worthy in the eyes of Primus. He entrusts in you the future of Cybertron, and... the Matrix of Leadership! '''Arise...''' '''''Optimus Prime.'''''"
:—Speaking for Primus, '''Alpha Trion''' and the Primes rebuild Orion Pax.

"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself. After I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over... ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel, the betrayer, is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will ''not'' be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was recut into a film that contradicted ''The Last Knight'' and its depictions of Bumblebee fighting in [[World War II]], shifting the film and [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|its sequel]] into a more ambiguous "soft reboot" that only loosely connect to the five Bay films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just ''how'' distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery.<ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127", the function of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in which it dissolves into dust if it deems someone unworthy to wield it and the incorporation of a closing monologue delivered by Optimus—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]] and has gone on to inform just about every major ''Transformers'' universe afterwards, particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity"<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat ''One'' and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]] entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* All the character designs are far closer to their Generation 1 designs (both the cartoon and the original toys) than the previous films. Characters also earn their iconic design traits in pivotal scenes, such as Optimus Prime's [[Energon-axe]] and [[mouthplate]], or Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. In the final scene, many miners gain details to match their Generation 1-selves even closer after they receive their cogs; in particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Starscream, Soundwave, and Megatron's newly applied insignias in the post-credits scene are also in the same place as their original counterparts, with Starscream's even being upside-down!
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film. D-16 takes [[Dion (G1)|Dion]]'s place as his best friend and co-worker.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure. Much like Orion Pax, his modern gladiator job is paid homage in his fight with Starscream.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action film series counterpart]]: his helmet design and blasters bear a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. The name "B-127" derives from the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where, much like this film, he did not receive the name "Bumblebee" on Cybertron. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' Bumblebee's melee weapons.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to her [[Elita-One (Movie)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' design]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". (This exclusion is perhaps less odd when one considers that subsequent to 1985, Disney secured a near-strangehold on toys named "{{w|The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|Ariel}}".)
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]]. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel draws from his "Aligned" counterpart, his [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' appearance]], and has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and the thematically similar character, [[Nominus Prime]]. Sentinel's battle mode is inspired by his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from the ''Megatron Origin'' comic. He also has his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin, as well as carrying on his 'arrogant jerkwad' personality rather than the more stoic attitude of other Sentinels. His double-bladed weapon takes specific inspiration from DOTM Sentinel's [[Primax Blade]], now with the additional ability to retract one or both of its blades when required.
* Airachnid is derived from the ''Prime'' [[Airachnid (Prime)|character of the same name]]—a notable inclusion given the primarily G1-based main cast—sharing a similar design, alternate mode as a helicopter, and antagonistic personality. Role-wise, however, she draws from her [[Airachnid (G1)|IDW 2005 counterpart]] being a subordinate of the [[Starscream_(G1)/2005_IDW_continuity|shady sovereign ruler of Cybertron]].
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in the "Aligned" lorebook [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be organic in nature.
* Primus' design seen in the hologram Orion plays is largely based on the [[IP infringement|"third party"]] 01 Studio Seed figure, itself inspired by the oft-referenced [[:File:UltimateGuidePrimus.jpg|original character model]] for his planet-body from [[DK Publishing|DK]]'s [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']]. His head and chest are closer to his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, also pulling a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|that toy]]'s transformation scheme. Primus' willing sacrifice of his locomotion and birthing of the Thirteen pulls from his appearance in the eponymous ''Covenant of Primus''.
* The Thirteen are similarly based on their "Aligned"' incarnations for their backstory and designs. Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively, while Vector Prime is based squarely on his original ''Cybertron'' design.
* Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus' face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* Alpha Trion's abilities to recreate and store memories as information calls back to the archival role of his [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]. His alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* The Thirteen are not actually referred to as the "Thirteen", but rather the Primes or the "Council of Elders", a term that originated in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. This is likely because it would contradict Sentinel's narrative painting himself as a fourteenth Prime. Notably, none of the archives or displays of the Thirteen include Sentinel.
* The cameo miners mostly draw from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast#Season 1|1984 Autobot cast of the original cartoon]], along with the [[Female Autobots]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and recolors such as [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. The background High Guard characters, meanwhile, are based on the endless Starscream recolors that have appeared throughout ''Transformers'', commonly known as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. Notably, one of their helmet variations is based on [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity#Cybertron cartoon|''Cybertron'' Starscream]]'s, while some Seekers including [[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]] sport triple-barreled weapons on their arms that resemble the [[neutron assault rifle]] from ''Fall of Cybertron'' – specifically the split-in-half configuration seen in the [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Starscream toy]] and its redecoes, even including a gear-shaped detail behind the barrels echoing the gears on the toy's accessories.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream/the Seekers, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, and Arcee have details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs.
*The jet modes of Starscream/the Seekers are also based on ''Bumblebee'', while Soundwave's vehicle mode is based on his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|''Studio Series Bumblebee'' toy]]. Shockwave's alternate mode resembles his [[Shockwave (WFC)|''War for Cybertron'' counterpart]], and both he and Starscream/the Seekers have details from their [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toys]].
*When Orion "transforms" to run away from the guards, he moves his limbs in a way that evokes [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|his original toy]]'s transformation.
* The Matrix causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Tracks (One)|Tracks]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cosmos (One)|Cosmos]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], [[Bludgeon (One)|Bludgeon]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in the Spanish subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16, and B-127 a bunch of "idiot [[GoBots|go-bots]]".
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''Transformers: Prime'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler. "The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's [[core]] and Optimus Prime is born. Incidentally, this scene and the music are also quite similar to when Megatron fatally shoots Bumblebee in the ''Transformers: Prime'' series finale "[[Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock]]".
*D-16's eye color gradually shifting from yellow to red upon declaring himself "Megatron" is similar to how his [[Megatron (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]'s eye color changed from blue to red after being denied the rank of Prime as seen in the flashbacks of "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
*The part of "The Fall" that plays when Megatron rips Sentinel in half also includes a leitmotif from [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron's]] "The Great Exodus".
* The notion of the Matrix actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* An empty Matrix chamber is visible behind Orion's chest window after receiving his cog, even before finding the actual Matrix.
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
*Soundwave scans Orion's electrical impulses to check if he is lying, a rarely referenced ability from his [[Soundwave (G1)|original toy's bio]].
*Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Similarly, Optimus Prime's faceplate bobs up and down when he speaks.
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice (for Steve Buscemi, anyway) when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].
*Shockwave and Elita have a small rivalry, reflecting their Generation 1 versions in Elita's introduction episode, "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
[[File:TFoneOrionJump.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Let my people go!]]
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentally, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''. Orion finding the Matrix in the planet's core also evokes the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]].
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* Megatron using a long piece of sharp, orange shrapnel to attack Optimus comes from their iconic fight in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus using a defeated Shockwave's cannon to attack another enemy is a fighting move Optimus made in ''Dark of the Moon''.
* After Optimus and Megatron's fight concludes, Megatron is shown with "tear stains" of mech fluid under his eyes, precisely matching the fluid-streaks the original Megatron had running down ''his'' face after his fight with Optimus in ''The Transformers: The Movie''. In ''One'', Megatron then declares "This isn't over, Prime," mirroring his line from ''The Movie'': "It's over, Prime."
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it when transforming into Rodimus at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus' concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space, continuing the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending in such a way, introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]].
*Optimus' transformation during his ending monologue is accompanied by the original transformation noise.
* In the post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named [https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?t=104 A-A-Tron].
* As Orion Pax and D-16 approach the finish line in the Iacon 5000, the announcer quotes verbatim Joe Starkey's call of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Play_(American_football) The Play] from the 1982 Cal-Stanford game. "The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of—" It can be assumed he would say "The Iacon 5000" in place of "college football," had Chromia not sped past to win the race.

==Errors==
* The history record about Primus, the Primes, and the Matrix that Orion Pax watches in the archives is recorded by [[Laurence Fishburne|a voice]] that clearly belongs to Alpha Trion. Yet, the events described in the history record include the disappearance of the Matrix, which happened after the Primes were killed and Alpha Trion went offline. So how could Alpha Trion have made that recording when he was lying comatose in a cave during that time?
* Many of the miners based on recognizable characters appear multiple times in the background or between shots, with many, such as Ironhide, having numerous occupations and being in multiple places at the same time.
* The High Guard has the same issue. Slipstream is shown to have been captured by the Death Trackers, but is later shown to take part in the attack on Sentinel's tower. Thundercracker is sliced in half by Airachnid, but is present the rest of the film.
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* Chromia is the racer that wins the Iacon 5000, but a bot that better resembles [[Chromia (G1)|Generation 1 Chromia]] appears as a miner too. Production designer Jason Scheier would confirm the miner bot is just a bot that resembles Chromia, while the one in the Iacon 5000 is the 'real' Chromia.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, the scene after the Iacon 5000 in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* Airachnid's legs are floating behind her back in her conversation with Sentinel Prime after he murders Alpha Trion.
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. She wasn't exaggerating when she said "I see ''everything''"!
* During the long take of Optimus Prime using his Energon axe to fight off Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave at the end of the film, Soundwave's shoulder cannon is on his left shoulder. In every other shot of the film, he is depicted with the cannon over his right shoulder like his G1 counterpart usually does.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The score also has other Transformers references, both in the melodies and titles of the tracks. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

Canadian DJ {{w|Excision_(musician)|Excision}} released the dubstep song "Together As One", which samples numerous lines from the film's cast, as part of the film's marketing campaign. Many of the lines in this song would go unused in the film's final cut. Chinese artist {{w|Yuqi}} released the song "ONE" as part of the film's Chinese marketing campaign. Neither song is present in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Just when you’re about to give up on stories that endlessly repackage the same trademarked properties, along comes a movie like Josh Cooley’s “Transformers One.” As its subtly confident title suggests, it carries itself as if nobody had ever made a Transformers movie before.|Matt Zoller Seitz|[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-one-film-review Rogerebert.com]}}

While [[Michael Bay]]'s ''Transformers'' films were notable for their record-breaking profits despite overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Transformers One'' faced the opposite problem. While [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|the previous theatrical ''Transformers'' film]] met with mixed reviews, ''Transformers One'' enjoyed an almost universally positive reception from both film critics and casual moviegoers. Critics praised the film's visual design, its nuanced approach to characterization and worldbuilding, and the performances of the film's voice actors, with many singling out Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry for their portrayals of Orion Pax and D-16. As of October 2024, its RottenTomatoes rating sits at 89% positive critical reviews and 98% positive audience reviews.

In the United States and Canada, ''Transformers One'' was originally projected to gross between 30 and 40 million dollars on its opening weekend. Ultimately, the film only made 24.6 million dollars, and finished second in the box office behind ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}'' (which had been released ''two weeks'' prior) in a surprise upset. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-can-transformers-one-borrow-a-page-from-spider-verse-and-recover-1236009559/ "Box Office: Can Transformers One Borrow a Page From Spider-Verse and Recover?"] </ref> In its second weekend, the film lost out out to rival animated robot movie ''{{w|The Wild Robot}}'', and ultimately took in a mere 9.2 million dollars after suffering a 62.8% drop. <ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/09/box-office-megalopolis-the-wild-robot-1236101618/ "'Wild Robot' Powers To Third Best September Animated Pic Debut With $35M; 'Megalopolis' Collapses With $4M & D+ CinemaScore; 'Saturday Night' Alive In Limited Release -- Box Office Update" </ref>

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
*March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
*December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
*April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
*May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
*May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
*January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
*April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
*April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
*April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
*May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
*June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
*June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
*July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
*December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
*April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
*April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
*April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
*May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
*June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
*June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
*June 12, 2024 — Several media outlets, including representatives from TFWiki, are invited to an [[Transformers One London advance screening|advance screening]] hosted by di Bonaventura and Cooley.
*June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
*June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
*July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
*July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
*July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in New York City.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
*July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
*July 25, 2024 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
*August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
*August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
*August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
*September 17, 2024 — In an interview with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Josh Cooley, when asked again about ''One''{{'}}s relation to any of the live-action movies, di Bonaventura stated, "It was like 300 million years before the [[Transformers (film)|first Michael Bay movie]], so if that's a prequel, that's a prequel."<ref>[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-and-josh-cooley-interview/ Transformers One Producer Hopes For Sequel & Confirms G.I. Joe Crossover]</ref>
*September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
*September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
*Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
*At one point, a bird robot based on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Aerobolt]] would've played a role in the story. <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "In an older version of the story we explored Aerobolt being part of the story. It never made it into the final."|link=https://x.com/ScheierJason/status/1840624306465755358|name=Jason Scheier|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=9|day=30}}</ref>
*An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although the arcade machine and a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
*Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*A shot of Orion, Elita, Soundwave, and Shockwave exiting the train after crashing into Sentinel's tower is not in the final film, and only appears in promotional material.

==Notes==
*As seen in the cast list above, Arcee and Chromia are voiced by Jinny Chung, the film's story / script coordinator. The Injured Racer is voiced by Dillon Bryan, Josh Cooley's assistant. Cooley himself cameos as Skywarp, the "Control Room Guys", and the PA system.
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.
*Darkwing was named by Hasbro designer [[Mark Maher]], when his boss asked him "If this was a Decepticon flyer, who would it be?"<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/stories/markclonus/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2024|month=09|day=08}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin Ying Gam Gong: Choh Chi Pin''''' (變形金剛：初始篇, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers Egy''''' ("Transformers One")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-09-27T15:41:28Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Quotes */ Fixing formatting

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]],<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an underclass of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially the cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty but then horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do my wonders.]]

Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a hidden and extremely creepy cave. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror, the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, the bodies of the thirteen lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempts to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush, in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spied on the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Death Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape. But he is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Death Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor... although D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as Megatron crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as Megatron manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble, to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''Transform and ROLL OUT!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Death Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a very ''over-enthusiastic'' entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he lets his dying friend fall, vowing he is ''done'' saving his friend from his mistakes, and Orion plummets into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes, who announce that Primus has deemed him worthy to carry the Matrix of Leadership. Orion is rebuilt, his spark restored, declared the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", and sent rocketing to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. Optimus ultimately triumphs in their fight, and, unwilling to kill his oldest friend, reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]


*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>


*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]

*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]

|h3=[[Thirteen|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Death Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"What do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not thinking about what ''he's'' going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax master plan! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.''"
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"Uh, why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening? I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you.." 
"I'm better than you in every way, except you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep-talk?"
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest but the spark that resides in their core... a spark that gives you the will to make your world better, and that is something Sentinel can ''never'' take from us. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me; nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' delivers his first heroic speech.

"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' learns '''Sentinel Prime''' won't go down without a fight.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—<s>D-16</s> '''Megatron''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"Impossible... Primus gave ''you'' the Matrix?" 
"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself, after I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are... banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over, ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel the betrayer is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will not be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was reworked into a film that contradicted with the character's [[World War II]] flashbacks in ''The Last Knight'', shifting the film into a more ambiguous timeframe with regards to the other five live-action films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just how distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery. <ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above. <ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127"—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]], particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity" <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate". <ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat the ''One'' franchise and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]], entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[live-action film series]] [[Bumblebee (Movie)|counterpart]]: his helmet design (with its large "cheeks" and movable "antennae") bears a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. While other characters shorten his name to "Bee", he's never once referred to as "Bumblebee"—likewise taking after the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where that version of B-127 only gained the familiar name after landing on [[Earth]]. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on [[Bumblebee (WFC)|"Aligned" Bumblebee]]'s melee weapons in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' video game.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to the [[Elita-One (Movie)|live-action incarnation of the character]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn".
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the "Aligned" continuity. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel combines his "Aligned" counterpart's blue and gold color scheme with the cape-like wing arrangement and double-sided blade from [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' Sentinel Prime]], while his battle mode is loosely inspired by Sentinel's [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' comic. He also has the knee details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin and shares some physical similiarities with [[Nominus Prime]], a comic original character from the IDW 2005 continuity who, coincidentally, was also depicted as a puppet leader and false Prime with a Cybertronian jet as alternate mode.
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government during the planet's [[Age of Wrath]]; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be partly organic in nature.
* Primus's design seen in the hologram Orion plays invokes his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, even using a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|his toy]]'s transformation scheme, but with the origins of his "Aligned" counterpart. The color scheme is drawn from his [[:File:WarWithinPrimus.jpg|Dreamwave look]].
* The Thirteen, referred to only as the Primes in the film, are based on their "Aligned" counterparts for their backstory and designs. Vector, Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:VectorPrime dvd.jpg|Cybertron]]'', ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively. Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus's face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream's jet mode, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, Arcee, and Brawn have many details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs. In particular, Ironhide and Soundwave transform into the vehicles modes designed by [[Emiliano Santalucia]] for their ''[[Studio Series]]'' toys. Soundwave's black sections on his upper thighs are based on the hinges on his [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|original Generation 1 toy]].
* Shockwave's alternate mode resembles that of his [[Shockwave (WFC)|counterpart]] from the ''War for Cybertron'' games and his [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toy]].
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "War Dawn", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler.
*"The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'s'' "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's core and Optimus Prime is born.
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in one version of the English subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* B-127 naming one of his pals 'Steve' could be a reference to [[Steve (Vehicon)|Steve the Vehicon]], a popular fandom joke during the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'' cartoon]] that got official recognition in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)|''Robots in Disguise'' comic]].
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16 and B-127 a bunch of [[GoBots]].
* The notion of the Matrix of Leadership actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)| Revenge of the Fallen]]''. When Orion Pax ''does'' find the Matrix, it is hidden in the planet's core, evoking the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentially, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''.
* Alpha Trion's alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
* Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did on his [[Shockwave (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]].
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]]. However, his voice returns to normal before the film's end as he declares his allegiance to the newly-renamed Megatron.
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Death Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Sentinel Prime's Death Trackers take heavy inspiration from ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'''s [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s, in both their design and their role as generic enemy troopers.
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* The Matrix of Leadership causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]]. Of course, Orion doesn't stay that way for long, as he's no stranger to [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|dying]] nor coming back to life in a more powerful form.
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' when transforming into Rodimus.
* In the final scene, many miners gain details matching their Generation 1 selves after they receive their cogs. In particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''The Transformers: The Movie'' and Jazz obtains the door-wings from his [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|original toy]].
* Optimus's concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space to warn the Quintessons not to return. This continues the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending with Optimus "sending a message," introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]] and repeated in most of the sequels.
* In the second post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
*Starscream's newly applied insignias are upside-down on his wings, just like his Generation 1 version.
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].
* Megatron's last words to Optimus are "This isn't over Prime," bookending his line "It's over Prime" from [[The Transformers: The Movie|the 86 movie.]]

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named A-A-Tron. [https://youtu.be/WLAq3JVJ6Ho?si=pCUM9jk-soMFoVH-&t=165 Just don't mention the Glee club around him...]

==Errors==
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is also clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, a later scene in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. Most egregious is the footage where Sentinel and his entourage kneel to the Quintesson High Commander, where Airachnid herself is fully visible.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla $Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
* March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
* December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
* April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
* May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
* May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
* January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
* April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
* April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
* May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
* June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
* June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
* July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
* December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
* April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
* April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
* April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
* May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
* June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
* June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
* June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
* June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
* July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
* July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
* July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
* July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
* July 25, 202.4 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
* August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
* August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
* August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
* September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
* September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
* Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
* An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
* Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time. <ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
* Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />

==Notes==
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-09-27T15:41:11Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]],<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an underclass of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially the cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty but then horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do my wonders.]]

Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a hidden and extremely creepy cave. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror, the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, the bodies of the thirteen lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempts to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush, in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spied on the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Death Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape. But he is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Death Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor... although D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as Megatron crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as Megatron manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble, to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''Transform and ROLL OUT!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Death Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a very ''over-enthusiastic'' entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he lets his dying friend fall, vowing he is ''done'' saving his friend from his mistakes, and Orion plummets into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes, who announce that Primus has deemed him worthy to carry the Matrix of Leadership. Orion is rebuilt, his spark restored, declared the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", and sent rocketing to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. Optimus ultimately triumphs in their fight, and, unwilling to kill his oldest friend, reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]


*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>


*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]

*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]

|h3=[[Thirteen|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Death Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"What do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not thinking about what ''he's'' going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax master plan! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.''"
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"Uh, why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening? I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you.." 
"I'm better than you in every way, except you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep-talk?"
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest but the spark that resides in their core... a spark that gives you the will to make your world better, and that is something Sentinel can ''never'' take from us. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me; nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' delivers his first heroic speech.

"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' learns '''Sentinel Prime''' won't go down without a fight.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—<s>D-16</s> '''Megatron''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"Impossible... Primus gave ''you'' the Matrix?" 
"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself, after I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are... banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over, ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel the betrayer is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will not be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was reworked into a film that contradicted with the character's [[World War II]] flashbacks in ''The Last Knight'', shifting the film into a more ambiguous timeframe with regards to the other five live-action films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just how distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery. <ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above. <ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127"—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]], particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity" <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate". <ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat the ''One'' franchise and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]], entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[live-action film series]] [[Bumblebee (Movie)|counterpart]]: his helmet design (with its large "cheeks" and movable "antennae") bears a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. While other characters shorten his name to "Bee", he's never once referred to as "Bumblebee"—likewise taking after the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where that version of B-127 only gained the familiar name after landing on [[Earth]]. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on [[Bumblebee (WFC)|"Aligned" Bumblebee]]'s melee weapons in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' video game.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to the [[Elita-One (Movie)|live-action incarnation of the character]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn".
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the "Aligned" continuity. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel combines his "Aligned" counterpart's blue and gold color scheme with the cape-like wing arrangement and double-sided blade from [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' Sentinel Prime]], while his battle mode is loosely inspired by Sentinel's [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' comic. He also has the knee details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin and shares some physical similiarities with [[Nominus Prime]], a comic original character from the IDW 2005 continuity who, coincidentally, was also depicted as a puppet leader and false Prime with a Cybertronian jet as alternate mode.
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government during the planet's [[Age of Wrath]]; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be partly organic in nature.
* Primus's design seen in the hologram Orion plays invokes his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, even using a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|his toy]]'s transformation scheme, but with the origins of his "Aligned" counterpart. The color scheme is drawn from his [[:File:WarWithinPrimus.jpg|Dreamwave look]].
* The Thirteen, referred to only as the Primes in the film, are based on their "Aligned" counterparts for their backstory and designs. Vector, Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:VectorPrime dvd.jpg|Cybertron]]'', ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively. Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus's face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream's jet mode, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, Arcee, and Brawn have many details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs. In particular, Ironhide and Soundwave transform into the vehicles modes designed by [[Emiliano Santalucia]] for their ''[[Studio Series]]'' toys. Soundwave's black sections on his upper thighs are based on the hinges on his [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|original Generation 1 toy]].
* Shockwave's alternate mode resembles that of his [[Shockwave (WFC)|counterpart]] from the ''War for Cybertron'' games and his [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toy]].
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "War Dawn", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler.
*"The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'s'' "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's core and Optimus Prime is born.
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in one version of the English subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* B-127 naming one of his pals 'Steve' could be a reference to [[Steve (Vehicon)|Steve the Vehicon]], a popular fandom joke during the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'' cartoon]] that got official recognition in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)|''Robots in Disguise'' comic]].
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16 and B-127 a bunch of [[GoBots]].
* The notion of the Matrix of Leadership actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)| Revenge of the Fallen]]''. When Orion Pax ''does'' find the Matrix, it is hidden in the planet's core, evoking the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentially, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''.
* Alpha Trion's alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
* Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did on his [[Shockwave (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]].
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]]. However, his voice returns to normal before the film's end as he declares his allegiance to the newly-renamed Megatron.
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Death Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Sentinel Prime's Death Trackers take heavy inspiration from ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'''s [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s, in both their design and their role as generic enemy troopers.
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* The Matrix of Leadership causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]]. Of course, Orion doesn't stay that way for long, as he's no stranger to [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|dying]] nor coming back to life in a more powerful form.
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' when transforming into Rodimus.
* In the final scene, many miners gain details matching their Generation 1 selves after they receive their cogs. In particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''The Transformers: The Movie'' and Jazz obtains the door-wings from his [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|original toy]].
* Optimus's concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space to warn the Quintessons not to return. This continues the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending with Optimus "sending a message," introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]] and repeated in most of the sequels.
* In the second post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
*Starscream's newly applied insignias are upside-down on his wings, just like his Generation 1 version.
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].
* Megatron's last words to Optimus are "This isn't over Prime," bookending his line "It's over Prime" from [[The Transformers: The Movie|the 86 movie.]]

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named A-A-Tron. [https://youtu.be/WLAq3JVJ6Ho?si=pCUM9jk-soMFoVH-&t=165 Just don't mention the Glee club around him...]

==Errors==
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is also clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, a later scene in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. Most egregious is the footage where Sentinel and his entourage kneel to the Quintesson High Commander, where Airachnid herself is fully visible.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla $Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
* March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
* December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
* April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
* May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
* May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
* January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
* April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
* April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
* May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
* June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
* June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
* July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
* December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
* April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
* April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
* April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
* May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
* June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
* June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
* June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
* June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
* July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
* July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
* July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
* July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
* July 25, 202.4 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
* August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
* August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
* August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
* September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
* September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
* Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
* An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
* Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time. <ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
* Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />

==Notes==
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-09-23T02:46:13Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Transformers references */ Added track that includes the motif.

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The Motion Picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]],<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
{{spoilers|Transformers One (film)|October 21}}

Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Thanks to the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the [[Quintesson]]s invaded, the Primes were slain and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to guide what remained of their society. Without easy access to energon, Cybertron is now dependent on an underclass of manual laborers—"miners" born without [[transformation cog]]s—who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean city of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], while Sentinel Prime searches for the Matrix on the surface of the planet. One miner, the impulsive [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]], has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the Matrix will allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. However, his latest break-in into the city archives draws the unwanted attention of [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], leading to a chase through the Iacon streets until Orion's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] bails him out. On the train to work, Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 an old [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]] decal.

In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using jetpacks and deployable stents to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon; when the explosion traps [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]], Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jetpack to save their coworker, but Elita is blamed for the disaster and is subsequently demoted to waste management duty. That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that the search for the Matrix has still not turned up any new leads. To take the blow off this announcement, Sentinel announces that tomorrow will be the [[Iacon 5000]]. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect. Although D-16 has no interest in the idea, Orion ropes him into the plan on the day of the race; using jetpacks and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two briefly manage to take the lead, but ultimately place last after D-16 is injured on the home stretch.

In Iacon's medical center, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; impressed with their performance in the race, he offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire them to work harder. However, Darkwing arrives before [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; angered that he nearly lost the race to the pair, he banishes them to the planet's 50th sub-level, where they meet the eccentric [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]]. The three accidentally discover an old beacon from the Quintesson war built into one of B-127's garbage statues, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, and stow away aboard a surface-bound garbage train after first convincing a reluctant Elita-1 to join them on their quest.

After arriving on the planet's surface, narrowly escaping the planet's volatile tectonic movements, and dodging a roaming Quintesson vessel, the four Cybertronians arrive at an ancient cave where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses, and uses an [[energon cube]] to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal a terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a former aide to the Primes who betrayed his leaders at the end of the war. When Sentinel tried to seize the Matrix of Leadership for himself, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. Since then, Sentinel has deliberately stolen the transformation cogs from newly-created Transformers to keep them in the mines; the city's garbage trains are really transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leaves D-16 shattered, but Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs of his fallen comrades. When Sentinel's [[Death Tracker]]s arrive, Alpha Trion holds them off long enough for Orion and the others to escape using their new [[alternate mode]]s, even though his sacrifice ends in his capture and subsequent execution at Sentinel's hand.

Using the incriminating information encoded on a crystalline vessel, Orion and the team plan to return to Iacon and use the evidence to expose Sentinel as a traitor, although D-16's desire to kill Sentinel unnerves Orion. Before they can make it back to the city, however, they are captured by former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes. D-16 seizes control of the faction after besting their leader [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] in single combat, but Sentinel's forces discover their secret base; in the ensuing battle, D-16, B-127, Starscream, and many members of the High Guard are taken prisoner, and the crystal is destroyed. As Elita and Orion join forces with the remaining members of the Guard, D-16 discovers that Sentinel took the transformation cog of Megatronus when he killed him; when D-16 refuses to kneel, Sentinel humiliates his prisoner by taking his Megatronus decal and carving a crude copy of the symbol into D-16's chest.

Upon returning to Iacon, Orion rallies the miners to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime, while Elita and the High Guard commandeer a train and fly it into Sentinel's tower. Although D-16 desires to murder Sentinel, he is unable to defeat him before Orion uses incriminating recordings from Airachnid's memory to reveal Sentinel's many misdeeds to the people of Iacon. The subsequent revolt catches Sentinel off-guard, and gives D-16 the opening he needs to finish the fight. However, when D-16 attempts to execute Sentinel, Orion tries to convince him that they can be better than their enemies; their argument ends with D-16 accidentally shooting Orion when he leaps in the path of his [[fusion cannon]]. Although momentarily horrified by his actions, D-16 ultimately decides that he's done saving his former friend and lets Orion fall into Cybertron's core. As Orion falls, D-16—insistent that there will be no more Primes—rips Sentinel in half, seizes his transformation cog, and declares himself "Megatron" before leading the High Guard to ransack what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Goodbye, brother.]]

Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes, who announce that Primus has found him worthy of bearing the Matrix of Leadership. Reborn as "Optimus Prime", Optimus returns to the surface in time to stop Megatron from killing B-127 and Elita. In the ensuing duel, Optimus ultimately triumphs, but instead chooses to banish Megatron and his new allies. With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life; the former miners are granted transformation cogs of their own to become fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s", and vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—in the shadows, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves as "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.

{{--}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]


*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>


*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]

*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]

|h3=[[Thirteen|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Prima]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Death Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"Uh, why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!" 
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

'''Shockwave''': "Why should we follow you?" 
'''Elita''': ''(bumps fists together)'' 
'''Shockwave''': "We will follow you!" 
:—'''Elita-1''''s "logical" argument. '''Shockwave''' is convinced.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—'''Orion Pax''' realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest but the spark that resides in their core... a spark that gives you the will to make your world better, and that is something Sentinel can ''never'' take from us. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me; nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' delivers his first heroic speech.

"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is ''What. I. Make it!"
:—'''Orion Pax''' learns '''Sentinel Prime''' won't go down without a fight.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—<s>D-16</s> '''Megatron''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"Impossible... Primus gave ''you'' the Matrix?" 
"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself, after I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are... banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over, ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I am... ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel the betrayer is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will not be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was reworked into a film that contradicted with the character's [[World War II]] flashbacks in ''The Last Knight'', shifting the film into a more ambiguous timeframe with regards to the other five live-action films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just how distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery. <ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above. <ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127"—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]], particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity" <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate". <ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat the ''One'' franchise and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]], entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the Optimus and Megatron backstory that was originally established in [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'', which consistently depicts the two as former friends who once fought against corruption and inequality on pre-war Cybertron before Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film. His one chest window also pays homage to the original "War Dawn" Orion Pax design.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original G1 Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure.
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], former leader of Cybertron in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]]. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel combines his "Aligned" counterpart's blue and gold color scheme with the cape-like wing arrangement and double-sided blade from [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' Sentinel Prime]], while his battle mode is loosely inspired by Sentinel's [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' comic. He also has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin.
* Primus's design seen in the hologram Orion plays invokes his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, even using a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|his toy]]'s transformation scheme, but with the origins of his [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]] counterpart. The color scheme is drawn from his [[:File:WarWithinPrimus.jpg|Dreamwave look]].
*The [[Thirteen]], referred to only as the Primes in the film, are based on their Aligned counterparts for their backstory and designs. Vector, Solus, Alchemist, and Nexus Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:VectorPrime dvd.jpg|Cybertron]]'', ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Prime Wars Trilogy]]'', and ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'' designs, respectively. Megatronus Prime also has the [[Void Scepter]] from his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design and a similar face to [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus's face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|G1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
*The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta is based on his ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' design.
* The film's main theme, "Resting Place of the Primes", and "The Fall" includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler.
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]].''
* The purple vein of extremely volatile energon Wheeljack discovers that causes the mineshaft to collapse is most likely a reference to [[Dark Energon]], a purple variety of energon with volatile properties and harmful effects to Cybertronians.
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from G1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their G1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattorshot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], and “[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]”.
** Racers based on their G2 counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], “[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]”, [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in one version of the English subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* Bumblebee's Cybertronian name being "B-127" originates from the ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' movie. Notably, while most people simply call him "Bee," B-127 is never once referred to as "Bumblebee" – likewise taking after the ''Bumblebee'' movie, where [[Bumblebee (Movie)|that version of B-127]] only gained the familiar name thanks to [[Charlie Watson]] after arriving on Earth.
* Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16 and B-127 a bunch of [[GoBots]].
* The notion of the Matrix of Leadership actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)| Revenge of the Fallen]]''. When Orion Pax ''does'' find the Matrix, it is hidden in the planet's core, evoking the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games. Perhaps coincidentally, the specific story beat of Megatron fatally wounding Orion Pax and dropping him into the planet's core, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus Prime, was a plot point in [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''.
* Alpha Trion's alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#toys|cancelled 2001 toy]].
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original G1 cartoon]].
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime’s tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Death Trackers, with his midair pose homaging [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Orion Pax jumps on top of Megatron's vehicle mode and rips off his tank barrel during their climactic duel, seemingly referencing the moment in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' where [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] does the same to [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]].
* In the second post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* Starscream's newly applied insignias are upside-down on his wings, just like his G1 cartoon version.
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the original cartoon's Decepticon [[scene transition]].
* Sentinel Prime's Death Trackers take heavy inspiration from ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'''s [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s, in both their design and their role as generic enemy troopers.
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] -- by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how [[Rainmaker|The Rainmakers]] disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* The Matrix of Leadership causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* Cybertron's core where Orion sees the spirit of the Primes is a large nova of glowing blue energy, calling to mind Vector Sigma from past continuities (though Vector Sigma is usually yellow/orange), or perhaps a more apt comparison would be the appearance Primus's took in ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]''.
* Optimus spinning his axe to deflect Megatron's shots is the similar to how his Generation 1 counterpart did with spinning his hand holding a crystal shard to knock down Megatron in "[[Fire in the Sky]]".
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]]. Of course, Orion doesn't stay long as he's no stranger to [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|dying]] nor coming back to life in a more powerful form.

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named A-A-Tron. [https://youtu.be/WLAq3JVJ6Ho?si=pCUM9jk-soMFoVH-&t=165 Just don't mention the Glee club around him...]
* Optimus wields his Energon axe in a very similar manner to the signature weapon of his [[Chris Hemsworth|voice actor]]'s [[Thor|most notable role]].
* Considering his voice actor, Alpha Trion’s line about how the main quartet's reality was a lie is certainly at least a partial reference to Fishburne's famous role in ''{{w|The Matrix}}''.

==Errors==
* One of the cogless miners in the opening mine scene is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, a later scene in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".

==Music==
A score album,''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla $Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
* March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
* December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
* April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
* May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
* May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
* January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
* April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
* April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
* May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
* June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
* June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
* July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
* December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
* April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
* April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
* April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
* May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
* June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
* June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
* June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
* June 24, 2024 — Cooley discusses how the film is in the "Old Republic" of Cybertron. D-16's backstory is being changed from being a gladiator champion to an Energon miner who is bunkmates with Orion Pax.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
* June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
* July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
* July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
* July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
* July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
* July 25, 202.4 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
* August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
* August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
* August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
* September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
* September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

==Notes==
* Several international releases of the film edit any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Transformers Prime: Music from the Animated Series

2024-09-22T03:39:50Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)

2024-09-21T21:53:51Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

Transformers One (film)

2024-09-21T17:34:14Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Quotes */

Transformers One (film)

2024-09-21T17:34:02Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Quotes */

Transformers Prime: Music from the Animated Series

2024-09-21T17:16:40Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)

2024-09-21T17:11:02Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)

2024-09-21T17:10:33Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */ Restructured the sentence to avoid Word Cruft and more concisely deliver the point.

Transformers One (film)

2024-09-21T16:25:52Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Transformers references */

Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)

2024-09-21T16:18:26Z

UnknownMorsel:

Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)

2024-09-21T16:18:05Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */ Will add further examples of the TFP melody appearing.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)

2024-09-15T16:59:11Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Music */ Added ''Music that Inspired the Score'' to releases, as it is connected to the film

{{nav-rotb}} 
{{movie|
|seriess=[[Live-action film series]]
|prev=Bumblebee (film)
|next=
|title=''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''
|image=Transformers Rise of the Beasts Theatrical Poster.jpeg
|caption=So for now, let the battle be here, on this strange, primitive world. And let it be called... Beast Wars!
|production companies=[[Skydance Media]] [[Entertainment One]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] [[New Republic Pictures]] [[Michael Bay|Bay Films]]
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Brian Goldner]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[Bradley J. Fischer]] [[Valerii An]] [[David Ellison]] [[Dana Goldberg]] [[Don Granger]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Duncan Henderson]]
|story by=[[Joby Harold]]
|screenplay by=[[Joby Harold]] [[Darnell Metayer]] [[Josh Peters]] [[Erich Hoeber]] [[Jon Hoeber]]
|directed by=[[Steven Caple Jr.]]
|cinematography by=[[Enrique Chediak]]
|edited by=[[Stuart Levy]] [[Brett M. Reed]]
|music by=[[Jongnic Bontemps]]
|release date=[[June 9]], [[2023]]
|continuity=[[Live-action film series]]
|runtime=127 minutes <ref>https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/C0D78E2B005A16FE</ref>
|budget=$200 million
|box office=$438.9 million<ref>https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt5090568/</ref>
}}

'''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''' is the seventh film in the [[live-action film series]], serving both as a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' and a tribute to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''. The film is directed by [[Steven Caple Jr.]] and written by [[Joby Harold]], [[Darnell Metayer]], [[Josh Peters]], [[Erich Hoeber]], and [[Jon Hoeber]]. Originally expected to be released on [[June 28]], [[2019]],<ref name="toyfairreveal">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-5-transformers-6-bumblebee-spin-off-movie-revealed-309503 Transformers 5, Transformers 6 And Bumblebee Spin-Off Movie Revealed] ToyFair news at TFW2005</ref> the film was delayed multiple times until finally being released on [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release"/>

When [[Noah Díaz]], a struggling young man trying to provide for his family, is roped into a conflict between the marooned [[Autobot]]s and the recently arrived [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcons]], he must learn to work with weary Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] so they, with the help of the wise [[Maximal]]s and the unadventurous researcher [[Elena Wallace]], can stop the arrival of the planet-eater [[Unicron]].

{{bigquote|Maximals..!}}
{{bigquote|Autobots..!}}
{{bigquote|Roll out!|[[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:ROTBcap-Unicronringedplanet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|This is one unusual planet... whatever it is.]]

Somewhere in time and space, the dark god [[Unicron]] and his minions invade a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle world]] populated by [[Maximal]]s. Unicron, seeking a way to cross galaxies, sends his [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]] herald [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] to retrieve the [[Transwarp Key]], an advanced device that can open portals in space-time. Although the Maximals attempt to fight back, their leader [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] entrusts [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] and a small group of Maximals—[[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]], [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]], and [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]]—with the Transwarp Key and orders them to keep the artifact from Unicron. As Primal and his followers use the key to escape their doomed planet and flee to prehistoric [[Earth]], Scourge kills Apelinq after a brief fight and takes his [[insignia]] as a trophy.

Thousands of years later, in June [[1994]], ex-military electronics expert [[Noah Díaz]] attempts to find a job to support his sick brother [[Kris Díaz|Kris]]. However, after another failed interview, his friend [[Reek]] convinces him to steal an expensive car from a nearby hotel. However, the "car" turns out to be the Autobot [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] in disguise, who takes the terrified Noah on a joyride through the streets of [[New York City]]. At the same time, a museum on Ellis Island comes into possession of an unusual stone falcon with a Maximal insignia. After closing hours, museum intern [[Elena Wallace]] investigates the statue and accidentally breaks it open to reveal half of the Transwarp Key. The artifact releases an energy pulse that attracts the attention of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the other Autobots, who have been stranded on Earth since their evacuation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] [[Bumblebee (film)|seven years prior]]. Prime summons the nearest Autobots—[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], and Mirage, who arrives at the meeting spot with Noah in tow. Although Optimus distrusts humans, he believes that they can use the Transwarp Key to return home and liberate their homeworld; eventually, Mirage hatches a scheme to sneak into the museum and have Noah steal the key for them.

[[File:Scourge about to blast bee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|A treacherous, underhanded sneak attack! I like you, pussycat, yes.]]

Unbeknownst to the Autobots, the accidental activation of the Transwarp Key summons the Terrorcons to Earth. Noah meets Elena inside the museum, but cannot convince her to turn over the relic before the Terrorcons attack; despite Prime's best efforts, Scourge successfully overpowers the Autobot leader, steals the Transwarp Key, and mortally injures Bumblebee before Airazor arrives to help drive the villains away. Airazor explains that the Maximals have been on Earth for millennia, and deliberately split the Transwarp Key in half to prevent Unicron or his followers from using it. The loss of Bumblebee only further galvanizes Optimus's resolve that they must reassemble the key and return home; Noah, fearful of Unicron's arrival, tells Elena that they must destroy the key to protect their own homeworld.

[[File:ROTB-Maximalstandoff.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Moderate your conflict circuits, Maximals.]]

Elena deduces that the other half of the key is located in a hidden temple in [[Peru]], and Prime recruits the airborne Autobot [[Stratosphere]] to take them there. Near the city of [[Cusco]], the Autobot [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] guides them to the temple, located beneath a [[Convent of Santo Domingo|local monastery]]. A festival prevents the Autobots from moving through the city inconspicuously; as a result, Noah and Elena must make the journey on foot. The pair discover a hidden mechanism that leads to a hidden temple with a stone sarcophogus but find that the other half of the key is no longer inside it. The Terrorcons attack again, and although the Autobots are able to evade the villains, the conflict ends with Scourge infecting Airazor with a portion of Unicron's dark energy. On the other side of the temple, Noah and Elena encounter Optimus Primal and the other two Maximals, who, after a brief standoff that was defused by Airazor, agree to join forces with the Autobots. Optimus Primal explains that they entrusted the Transwarp Key to a tribe of humans who live near the [[energon]]-rich valley that Primal and his followers inhabit—while Optimus Prime distrusts humanity, Primal has lived among them for millennia, and has come to view them as friends and even allies.

The next morning, however, Scourge's corruption finally overtakes Airazor; in the ensuing battle, Primal is forced to crush her spark to save Elena, while Noah makes an attempt to destroy their half of the Transwarp Key until Optimus convinces him to stand down. However, Scourge and the Terrorcons take advantage of the chaos to steal the other half of the key and relocate to a nearby volcano, which they reshape into a massive portal that will summon Unicron to Earth.

[[File:RotB-Optimusvsscourge.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Across the galaxy, it has come to this, Optimus Primal. Face to face, tooth to claw, yes... have you anything to say?]]

Having found some common ground between their two races, Optimus Prime and Noah agree to work together; while the Autobot-Maximal alliance battle Unicron's minions, Noah and Elena attempt to sneak into the Terrorcon base and deactivate the [[Unspace|transwarp]] device with a manual shutdown code based on Elena's studies of the Maximal language. Mirage attempts to distract Scourge so that the humans can complete their mission, but the Terrorcon leader gravely injures him; with the last of his strength, Mirage reshapes his body into an [[exosuit]] for Noah. As Unicron begins pushing his way through the portal to Earth and sending down reinforcements in the form of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]s, the energy pulses released by the key ignite the nearby energon deposits and restore Bumblebee to life. As Bumblebee joins the fight, Optimus Prime gains the upper hand and finally kills Scourge, but not before the Terrorcon damages the console and leaves the heroes unable to close the portal. With no other options, Prime destroys the key and triggers a devastating implosion, but Noah and Primal successfully rescue the Autobot leader from falling into the collapsing vortex.

In the aftermath, the surviving Maximals remain in Peru, while the Autobots return to America. Elena is recognized for her archeological discovery, while Noah applies for another security job—but discovers that the job opportunity is actually a front for a clandestine government organization codenamed "[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]," who promise to cover his brother's treatment going forward.

Some time later, Noah has used spare Porsche parts to cobble together a new body for Mirage, and reveals his existence to a bewildered Reek.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Autobot]]s / [[Maximal]]s|c1=
;Autobots
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
* [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] ([[Pete Davidson]])
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Liza Koshy]])
* [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] ([[Cristo Fernández]])
* [[Stratosphere]] ([[John DiMaggio]])

;Maximals
* [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] ([[Ron Perlman]])
* [[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]] ([[Michelle Yeoh]])
* [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]] ([[Tongayi Chirisa]])
* [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]] ([[David Sobolov]])
* [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] (David Sobolov)

|h2=[[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s / [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
;Terrorcons
* [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] ([[Peter Dinklage]])
* [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] ([[Michaela Jaé Rodriguez]])
* [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]] (David Sobolov)
* [[Sweep (ROTB)|Sweep]]s
** [[Freezer]]
** [[Novakane]]

;Predacons
* [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]s

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
* [[Noah Díaz]] ([[Anthony Ramos]])
* [[Elena Wallace]] ([[Dominique Fishback]])
* [[Breanna Díaz]] ([[Luna Lauren Velez]])
* [[Kris Díaz]] ([[Dean Scott Vasquez]])
* [[Reek]] ([[Tobe Nwigwe]])
* [[Jillian Robinson]] ([[Sarah Stiles]])
* [[Bishop (ROTB)|Bishop]] ([[Aidan Devine]])
* [[D. Greene]] ([[Leni Parker]])
* [[Amaru]] ([[Lucas Huarancca]])
;[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]
* [[Agent Burke]] ([[Michael Kelly (actor)|Michael Kelly]])

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[Unicron]] ([[Colman Domingo]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
"There’s a legend that precedes the dawn of our civilization: a vile god so large, so powerful, that it consumed entire planets as fuel. Few believed such a thing could be true, until the day we saw Unicron with our own eyes…"
:—'''Optimus Primal's''' opening narration.

"I'll hold him off, buy you some time." 
"Then I'm staying with you." 
"This is my fight. Listen, if Unicron were to get the key, he could open a portal through [[Transwarp Drive|time and space]], with no end to the worlds he could destroy. It is now your time to lead the [[Maximal]]s... Optimus Primal."
:—'''Apelinq''' passing the torch to '''Optimus Primal'''.

"So you're this planet's... ''great'' warrior. You have such a beautiful world, filled with an abundance of life. Savory."
:—'''Scourge''' waxes poetic to Apelinq.

"Okay, what are the rules?" 
"Bros before hoes." 
''[Noah glares at Kris]'' 
''(sigh)'' "Don't be a problem. Don't go looking for a problem—" 
"Or else we're gonna have a problem."
:—'''Noah''' and '''Kris''' clarify the rules.

"I ain't breaking into a museum for some space robots." 
"But what about for friendship?" 
''[Noah stares at Mirage incredulously]'' 
"Uh, uh—or or ''or'', what about for cash?"
:—'''Noah''' wants out. '''Mirage''' wants him in.

''"You can't handle the truth!"'' 
"I do not want you going to that drive-in theater anymore."
:— '''Bumblebee's''' references grate on '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Stop following me!" 
"I'm not following you, I'm just escaping in the same direction!"
:—'''Elena''' and '''Noah''' run from the pursuing Sweeps.

"And you call yourself a Prime...Primus would be ''ashamed.''"
:—'''Scourge''' isn't too impressed with Optimus Prime.

"I'm going to take back Scourge's key, and then...''take off his head.''"
:—The origins of '''Optimus Prime's''' "GIVE ME YOUR FACE" phase.

"I love your fire, Prime, but you're going to die on this speck of dust." 
"I can think of no better place to bury you!"
:—'''Scourge''' has gotten on '''Optimus Prime's''' last nerve

"He is not ''the'' Optimus Prime I imagined." 
"Well, he has lost so much." 
"Many more will perish if the key falls into the wrong hands." 
"If you had another chance to save our home, would you act any differently?"
:—'''Optimus Primal''' and '''Airazor'''

"I am sorry, Noah." 
"You were looking out for your own. I can't even be angry at you for that." 
"On my homeworld, we believe that the battle with darkness will continue [['Til all are one|'til all are one]]. I lost sight of that. You fought for yours as I fought for mine, when we should've been fighting the darkness together." 
"Well, I ain't done fighting yet."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Noah''' have a moment as Unicron approaches.

"''I have come here to kick ass!''"
:—'''Bumblebee''' announces his return with a clear message.

"Time to show you the real power of a Prime!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' lays the smackdown on Scourge. An ass kicker cometh.

"Don't, Prime. I can give you everything you want." 
"Then DIE!"
:—'''Unicron's''' temptation falls flat in '''Optimus Prime's''' face.

"I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. We have lost the Transwarp Key, and with it, our ability to go home. But we have gained an ally in our battle against the forces of evil. Forces too powerful for any of us to defeat on our own, but together, we might just have a chance."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' closing narration. We missed them.

"I am Noah Díaz. What is there to know about me? I was raised out in Brooklyn. I got a little bro who calls me Sonic, and if I gotta help save the universe in order to help save the people I love, well then that's what I'm gonna do."
:—'''Noah''' does his own closing narration.

==Continuity notes==
''Rise of the Beasts'' is a direct sequel to 2018's ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' film, taking place seven years after its events, in 1994. The plot of the film has little impact on this one, beyond it being established that the Autobots have been stranded on Earth since arriving at its end. While waiting for Noah to infiltrate the museum, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have a conversation that alludes to Bee's time with [[Charlie Watson]].

More notably, ''Rise of the Beasts'' serves to continue the heated debate among fans over whether or not the ''Transformers'' live-action film series has been rebooted, after reshoots to ''Bumblebee'' that served to distance it from the earlier films directed by [[Michael Bay]] introduced some significant discontinuities with Bay's films (2017's ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' in particular). Though fans were quick to jump on the idea that this meant the film was a total, hard reboot of the movie universe, Paramount has not committed to that idea; ''Rise of the Beasts'' was not promoted as a reboot any more than ''Bumblebee'' was, and many reviews of and articles about the film have casually referred to it as a prequel. Some web outlets would even run articles commenting on Paramount's hazy stance on the movie's (and ''Bumblebee'''s) place in continuity.<ref>[https://www.cbr.com/transformers-7-bumblebee-reboot-mistake "Rise of the Beasts Is Repeating Bumblebee's Worst Mistake" on CBR.com]</ref><ref>[https://movieweb.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-is-a-reboot/ "Why Does Paramount Keep Pretending Rise of the Beasts Is Not a Reboot?" on MovieWeb.com]</ref>

In-keeping with this, in the run-up to the film's release, like [[Travis Knight]] before him, director Steven Caple Jr. was reluctant to declare the film a full and total continuity reboot; notably, in one particular interview, he called the film "a reboot for sure," only to walk the statement back ten seconds later, instead saying that one "could call it a reboot" in terms of starting point, reframing it instead as a "refresher" and a "new direction," that nonetheless preserved many elements of the earlier films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=It's a reboot for sure. The Bayverse... you can still watch the Bayverse and be on your own verse, so to speak. With us, we're definitely like, we want this to work, you know? We want people to... it's a refresher, so we can call reboot in terms of like, where we were starting. But yeah so definitely a new direction for sure. There's some things you could probably connect to it, clearly Bee is like a huge connection to all the movies, you know what I mean? In terms of his car, his design, a Camaro, and things like that, but... it's a very small one, in terms of the big ideas that we have. And so you guys will see definitely where we're going at the end of this film, which is crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MfMFxvT_-Q&t=2452s|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=The Alfonso Nation|title="BAYVERSE vs REBOOT" & Wheeljacks Design | ROTB DIRECTOR STEVEN CAPLE JR Interview!|year=2023|month=05|day=27}}</ref> Longtime producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] has taken a more explicit stance, repeatedly denying that the film is a reboot and stating that it is a prequel that shows how Optimus Prime grows to become the character seen in the Bay films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Hey you know if you look at it from a timeline point of view, it follows ''Bumblebee''... but it is a prequel, in that it's before all the previous movies. So it sort of exists in its own way. What I don't think it is, is a reboot, because it's still our characters. One of the things that Steven brought to the table right from the beginning, which was so great, was the idea that when we meet Optimus Prime, he's different than what we think of him, and we're watching him grow up—if you would—as a leader. And for me that was one of the most exciting parts of the movie, and what was interesting was watching it with audiences, and at first they were uncomfortable a little bit, like, "wait, that's not exactly the Optimus... he should like humans!" You know? So I think it gives the movie a really interesting point of view, and that therefore it stands alone in that way.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11sKGYcq9k&t=871s|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=a panel at the premiere of ''Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=05|day=26}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=But what's interesting is, and you will appreciate this as a fan, at the end of ''Bumblebee'', Optimus comes to Earth. What he's experienced is failure, probably for the first time in his life, right? He's had to retreat, he's leaving the planet Cybertron. What's happened to him from that experience? When we meet him in 2007, he's a particular person, if you would. In 1994, he's not the same person. He still has growth to do between ‘94 and 2007. So the character arc for Optimus in this, and the fun for the audience is, when you first meet Optimus – and we've had this experience because we've watched it with audiences and we've heard them talk about it – they're like, “It's definitely Optimus, but there's something a little different…” At first, they're like, “Wait, what, who… what Optimus is this?” And by the end of the movie, Optimus has become the guy that you've recognized from the Bay movies. Emotional.|link=https://collider.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-michael-bay-movies-producer-comments/|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=Collider|title='Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Producer on How It Differs From Michael Bay's Movies|year=2023|month=05|day=24}}</ref> At the same time, di Bonaventura has also conceded that they were "kicking the can down the road" when it came to continuity concerns, preferring to worry about it in the future, and that the films "maybe have" contradicted Bay's movies despite efforts not to.<ref>[https://www.fandom.com/articles/transformers-rise-beast-wars-optimus-prime Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Shows a Different Side of Optimus Prime" on Fandom.com]</ref> These particular claims line up with statements made by Caple after the film's release, in which he stated he is "not worried" about continuity, and is just focused on making the best choices for each individual movie's story. He cites 2007's ''Transformers'' and ''Dark of the Moon'' as "his classics," and says he would "love to stay within that line," but does not feel compelled to adhere much to ''Age of Extinction'' and ''The Last Knight,'' since he views their stories as the result of creators "freestyling," and doubts that "anyone knew exactly where they were going with [them]."<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/rise-of-the-beasts-director-confirms-that-continuity-is-not-a-concern-within-the-transformers-film-franchise/47813/ Extract from an interview with Caple Jr. on the ''Empire Spoiler Specials'' podcast, via Seibertron.com]</ref> And that's... probably about as good an answer as we're going to get right now.

Whichever approach you subscribe to, it's pretty clear the decision to set the film in 1994 was one primarily made to avoid having to directly deal with the timeframe of the Bay movies in any capacity, and tell a new story free of their immediate baggage — the "can-kicking" Lorenzo spoke of. For what it's worth, the film takes some steps to preserve the broad continuity of at least the first Bay film; the Transwarp Key's energy is explicitly stated to operate on a frequency that humans cannot perceive, meaning that they literally cannot ''see'' the huge sky-beam, while massive storm clouds appear to hide the appearance of Unicron from public view. As such, the film ends with the general population of Earth (beyond secret forces within the US government) still entirely unaware of the Transformers' existence, as was the case when the 2007 film began. As the time-gap between these "prequels" and the first movie narrows, though, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine them fitting together without a lot of hand-waving away of specific details, unless future movies actually start making active attempts to address this.

In terms of active contradictions to established continuity, ''Rise of the Beasts'' appears to take the same approach as ''Bumblebee'' and ignores the events of ''The Last Knight'' by depicting Unicron as a separate planet, rather than the Earth itself, as he appeared in that film. However, it's probably important to note that the film lightly implies that the Maximals are time-travellers from the future (see "Transformers references" for more details), which would mean that the Unicron who appears in this film is also from the future. Thus it ''could'' be argued that his appearance here doesn't technically contradict ''The Last Knight''—but of course, that would mean he was trying to eat his own past self.

==Transformers references==
* The Maximals are broadly depicted the same as they were in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon: as a "highly-advanced race" of beast-mode Transformers who use transwarp technology to travel to other planets and interact with their native species, whose travels bring them to ancient Earth. Steven Caple Jr. has noted that earlier drafts of the screenplay explicitly depicted the Maximals as time-travellers from the future, as they were in the cartoon, and while the concept is so toned down for the finished movie that it probably won't even occur to general audiences, several references to the idea are still made on-screen. Transwarp technology is stated to open portals in time as well as space; Airazor states that the Maximals are "from both [the Autobots'] past and future"; and Optimus Primal says that he is named after the "legendary" Optimus Prime, which all combine to suggest that the Maximals originate from the future.
* The idea of the Maximals hailing from a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle planet]] originates in [[IDW Publishing]]'s comic books, which depicted many ''Beast Wars'' characters as the residents of the planet Eukaris. The planet is implied to be one of many colonised by Transformers in ages past using space bridges generated by the Transwarp Key, before the planets became separated and the key "lost." This concept of a great era of Cybertronian expansion that led to the foundation of lost colonies on other planets where Cybertronian life evolved in new and different directions dates back to 2005's [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], and became a recurring element in ''Transformers'' series in the 2010s and beyond after it was incorporated into the lore of the [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned continuity]].
* Unicron's armies being named the "Terrorcons" hearkens back to both 2004's ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and 2010's ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'', which both featured the power of Unicron being used to create armies of warriors known as Terrorcons. In particular, the corrupted Airazor's rusted appearance resembles the ''Prime'' Terrorcons, which were also rusted, dilapidated, shambling bots controlled by the will of another.
* Though not identified by name onscreen, Unicron's army includes multiple duplicates of a robotic scorpion identified by the movie's toyline as "Predacon Scorponok." The idea of "Scorponok" being a mass-produced "species" of robots has recently been seen in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron'' cartoon]], where both [[Scorponok (G1)|Generation 1 Scorponok]] ''and'' [[Scorponok (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Scorponok]] were treated this way.
* The Maximals vow to keep the Transwarp Key hidden and safeguard life "no matter the cost," evoking Optimus Prime's iconic line from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'': "Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost."
* Optimus Prime's design features alterations from his earlier ''Bumblebee'' appearance that are influenced by his appearance in the first three Bay films; he has silver hands, feet, sun visors, angled chest windows, retractable orange [[Dual Energon Swords|Energon swords]], a handheld orange [[Energon-axe]] (which transforms out of his arm, coincidentally similar to the [[Optimus Prime (ES)|''Earthspark'' version]]), and a mask-less face sporting similar details.
* Arcee transforms into a {{w|Ducati}} motorcycle, like her ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' incarnation, and the design of her arms and deployable cannons seem to be directly inspired by her [[Arcee (WFC)|''Prime'' counterpart]].
* Scourge combines aspects of his [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1]], [[Scourge (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'']] and [[Scourge (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'']] namesakes; he's a herald of Unicron and has an army of [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] like G1 Scourge, transforms into a black Optimus Prime-like truck like ''RID'' Scourge and hails from a colony world like ''Cybertron'' Scourge. The various insignias he wears as trophies include the symbols of the [[Decepticon]]s, [[Autobot]]s, [[Maximal]]s, [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s, [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] and [[Wreckers]]. His designer Eddie Del Rio also admitted on his Instagram to pulling inspiration from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] for his robot mode (and stealing insignias like trophies is well in character for the old bounty hunter as well).
* More obscure characters appear such as Apelinq, who originates from a [[Apelinq (BM)#Beast Machines|BotCon 2000 toy]] and tie-in [[3H Productions]] comics, and Stratosphere, returning from the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toyline and last seen in the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]], albeit with a new, original design and characterization.
* When [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] lands at the Museum following the carnage, she makes some [[Starscream (Movie)|very familiar warbling noises]] when she moves.
* The two music tracks used in Unicron's scenes feature segments taken from [[Vince DiCola]]'s "Unicron's Theme" in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* Scourge stands and talks to Unicron's face from inside his body, similar to a scene with their characters from the Generation 1 episode, "[[Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine]]".
* The symbols Elena studies are Maximal [[Cybertronix]], from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon. The access code Elena assembles doesn't translate to anything, and simply reads "XQB," but the text on the side of the Transwarp Key (written in a combination of mirrored and upside-down symbols) reads: "He Who Opens The Door."
* The authors of the paper Elena reads about Peru's unexplained glyphs are Asahi Takara and Daniel H. Tomy, a reference to [[TakaraTomy]], Hasbro's longtime business partner in Transformers toys.
* After meeting Optimus Prime for the first time, Noah incorrectly calls him "Optimal". "Optimal Optimus" is the name of the original [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#OptimalOptimus|Optimus Primal's Transmetal 2 body]].
* When proposing different alternate modes to Noah, Mirage briefly turns into a F1 car, a reference to [[Mirage (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]]'s alternate mode. He also turns into a Lamborghini Countach, which wasn't just a really cool car, but also famous in ''Transformers'' lore for being the alternate mode of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Generation 1 Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], as well as [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], in the same colors no less. He then turns into a Ferrari off-screen, the alternate mode of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Dino]], whose name in media outside of that movie was "Mirage". Doing so off-screen could be a poke at the difficulty Ferrari caused in getting their car on screen for ''Dark Of The Moon''.
* Mirage is incredulous over the news that musician [[Mark Wahlberg]] is leaving his band, the Funky Bunch, and going into acting—a good-natured jab at the actor's [[Cade Yeager|leading role]] in the earlier ''Transformers'' movies, ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' and ''The Last Knight''.
* Scourge name-drops [[Primus]] as he taunts Optimus Prime, the first reference to the Transformers' creator god in any of the live-action movies.
* Scourge injures Prime's left flank in the museum battle, which mirrors the injuries [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] gave to the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie.'' Prime even grasps the wound in the same way his predecessor did.
* Airazor explains that Unicron imbues his heralds with a "dark energy," which increases their power, but also has a corrupting effect—almost certainly a reference to [[Dark Energon]], the life-energy of Unicron introduced in the Aligned continuity. This was confirmed on the special features for the blu-ray of the movie.
* Unicron psychically tortures Scourge from afar in the same way he did [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* When Optimus Primal talks to Optimus Prime about how the Maximals trust the humans, he says there's "[[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more to them than meets the eye]]".
* Optimus states the Cybertronian belief that "the battle with darkness" will continue: "[['Til all are one]]." This phrase, and the idea of a day prophesied in Cybertron legend when it will come to pass, originates with ''The Transformers: The Movie,'' and is here used to thematically connect with the shared struggle of the Autobots, Maximals, and humans.
* When the heroes are lining up for the final battle, brown fins briefly pop out of the sides of Wheeljack's head, evoking his [[Wheeljack (G1)|Generation 1 design]].
* As the heroes charge towards the Terrorcon army, Optimus Primal commands Rhinox and Cheetor to "Maximize!", which was the Maximal [[activation code]] from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.
* Optimus Primal briefly fights with his double bladed scimitar from his [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|original toy]].
* In the final battle, when Unicron sends an army of Sweeps to reinforce his minions on Earth, they make their descent in the form of yellow-and-black orbs, which appears to be a nod to Unicron's [[Mini-Con]] from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the yellow-and-black sphere, [[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]].
* The armored suit Mirage forms over Noah is conceptually an homage to the Generation 1 [[exosuit]]s, while its overall design hews closer to [[Kicker Jones]]' battlesuit from ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''.
* In a glorious homage to [[Transformers (film)|the 2007 movie]], the musical highlight of [[Steve Jablonsky]]'s "Arrival to Earth" plays as Optimus, Noah, and Primal escape the collapsing transwarp portal's suction.
* Optimus Prime's final speech is set to a remixed version of the track "No Sacrifice, No Victory" from the 2007 movie's score, which was also reprised for the endings of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''.
* [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and Transformers have frequently crossed over in comics and the occasional toyline over the years, though this marks the first time the two have co-existed in a feature film. Notably, the G.I. Joe insignia on Burke's business card is the version introduced in the film ''G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra''.

==Real-life references==
* When Noah is getting a cable box working, he tunes in to the 1992 film ''{{w|Juice (1992 film)|Juice}}''.
* A TV screen briefly shows news coverage of the {{w|Murder trial of O. J. Simpson#Bronco chase|O. J. Simpson white Ford Bronco car chase}}, which places the events of the film near [[June 17]], 1994.
* Throughout the film, Noah and Kris use the codenames "[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]]" and "{{w|Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Tails}}" (and in one instance, Mirage is referred to as "{{w|Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles}}"), a nod to the characters from the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' videogame series.
* Kris wears a shirt of the ''Mighty Morphin' [[Power Rangers]]'', another property owned by Hasbro. A poster of said series also appears on his wall.
* Kris is heard playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his [[Game Boy]]. However, see "Anachronisms".
* Noah gives their address as 974 Wilson Avenue in Brooklyn. While the avenue in question exists in reality, the street numbers only reach the 600s.
* Kris attempts to comfort Noah after his unsuccessful interview by relating his struggle to [[Superman]]'s difficulty finding a job before being hired by the {{w|Daily Planet}}.
* When Mirage compliments Noah after the car chase, he quotes the line "I like it a lot" from ''Dumb and Dumber''. However, see "Anachronisms".
* Also in the aftermath of the chase, he refers to the 1988 movie ''{{w|Big (film)|Big}}'' during his impression of Optimus Prime.
* Noah calls Mirage {{w|E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.}} for obvious reasons. He also makes a reference to [[Indiana Jones]] when discovering the hidden temple in Peru.
* Bumblebee drops various voice lines from famous real-life films throughout the whole movie, including ''{{w|Die Hard}}'', ''[[Spaceballs]]'', ''{{w|They Live}}'', ''{{w|A Few Good Men}}'' and ''{{w|Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface}}.''
* While fleeing in the museum, Elena sings Zhané's song "{{w|Groove Thang}}" to try to calm herself down.
* As they rendezvous with the other Autobots for the trip to Peru, Mirage announces that "[[Wu-Tang Clan|Wu-Tang]] is in the building."
* Elena sings the TLC song "{{w|Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls}}" to herself during the flight to Peru. However, see "Anachronisms".
* The {{w|Inti Raymi}} festival taking place when the Autobots arrive in Peru is a real festival that takes place on [[June 24]], further tying the film's events to that month.
* During the mountain road car chase at Peru, the shot of Scourge's insignia-covered grille reflected in Prime's rearview mirror homages a famous shot from [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1971 film ''{{w|Duel (1971 film)|Duel}}.''
* When meeting Primal, Elena brings up the {{w|Nazca Lines}} and the archeological site at {{w|Tikal}}, asking if the Maximals were responsible for creating them. [[Order of the Witwiccans|In this case]], however, Primal takes no credit for human ingenuity.
* Mirage calls Optimus Primal "{{w|Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong}}".
* At the end of the film, Elena appears on the [[CBS]] news program ''[[60 Minutes]]''; host [[Lesley Stahl]] makes a cameo appearance as herself during the segment.
* The award on the wall that serves as the hidden switch to access the G.I. Joe base reads "Real Hero Award" with the image of an American flag, referencing the subtitle of the 1980s ''G.I. Joe'' franchise: "A Real American Hero".

==Errors==
===Filming, animation, and technical errors===
* When Scourge kills Apelinq, he welds his Maximal insignia to his right shoulder, but throughout the rest of the film, Apelinq's insignia is gone. In the same scene, Scourge says "They never learn...", but his mouth is not moving.
* A recurring error sees the CGI models for Freezer and Novakane, which were supposed to have unique head injuries for each character, being switched around at random at various points in the movie. A very noticeable example of this happens when Scourge deploys a single Sweep in Peru whose model has an intact head with just a pair of scars on its forehead, but is moments later replaced by the model with a much bigger wound and a missing left antenna. Several other Sweeps of varying sizes also reuse these models during the final battle, completely taking away the intended uniqueness of each head design.
* When Reek yells down the street as Noah and Kris depart, his dialogue does not match his lips.
* When Optimus Prime is about to throw his axe at Scourge, there is some distance between the two. However, in the next shot they are within just meters of each other.
* When Scourge says "Now, to add a Prime to my collection", his claw is both folded in on his arm and deployed at the same time.
* When Mirage attempts to eavesdrop on Noah and Kris' conversation, he is barely tall enough peer into the balcony while standing on a car. However, a minute later when Kris promises him to keep Noah safe he is somehow tall enough to comfortably look into the balcony without anything to stand on.
* The doors that go onto Wheeljack's back are unmarked brown in the scene of him transforming from van mode, but feature text on them in the very next cut where he is in robot mode.
* When Wheeljack audibly gasps at Noah assuming he can speak Spanish, his mouth is not moving.
* When Mirage and Optimus Prime turn into a street in Cusco, there is another Optimus Prime truck in the background. This can only be seen if you pause at the right moment.
* As Optimus decks Scourge during the Peru chase, Scourge seems to suffer a wardrobe malfunction as a rogue wheel not located anywhere on his torso springs out of his right armpit.
* Additionally, there are times when vehicles just disappear during the Switchback chase;
** Scourge's truck conveniently takes a lot of time to round a corner Optimus has just turned, despite being only feet behind him
** Mirage is no longer visible next to Nightbird when Battletrap pulls his 180 turn stunt.
* When Wheeljack is recovering from being attacked by Rhinox, his mouth is not moving as he says "Ay-ay-ay."
* As the heroes are walking through the jungle, the scene cuts to Elena while she is saying "So, what are you?", which does not match her lips.
* During the final battle, the line where Primal declares "We'll clear the way!" accidentally uses the scratch track recorded by David Sobolov rather than Ron Perlman's final VO. This led to some confusion among fans, who thought the line might have been spoken by Rhinox (who, despite Sobolov being credited for the role, is silent in the finished film), but Sobolov himself clarified the mix-up at a later convention panel.
* As Optimus Prime looks up at Unicron arriving at the mouth of the portal, Arcee can be seen scuttling about blasting Sweeps; except her blasters produce no laser effects.
* From the time Bumblebee acquires his offroad Camaro, his wheels are inconsistent between his robot and vehicle modes, with some shots showing his normal Camaro's wheels instead of the offroad ones. It is most visible for the wheels on his shoulders.
* Scourge's mouth is not moving as he proclaims "Unicron will prevail!" before shooting the transwarp control panel.
* Elena audibly whimpering in Bumblebee as he drives through hoards of Sweeps does not match her lips.

===Continuity errors===
* The fight between Optimus and Scourge outside the museum has some very inconsistent physics:
** Scourge slams Optimus against a nearby obelisk, the impact somehow doesn't make the structure collapse although the Autobot leader is made of materials much harder than stone or bricks and having much more physical mass. Scourge then punches Prime in the face, again, against the obelisk which might suggest the structure is durable enough to hold a full blow thrown by a highly-advanced mechanical being.
** Yet Scourge breaks it with his bare hands with little effort shortly after in order to hit Optimus again.
** ''Yet'' the obelisk is still heavy and hard enough to beat Prime to the ground.
** '''''Yet''''' the impact doesn't leave any visible damage to Optimus while the object itself crumbles like being made of LEGO bricks.
** [[B.O.T. (episode)|Argh.]]
* After Scourge incapacitates Bumblebee, he plucks his Autobot badge off with a normal left hand. In the following shot, however, his left hand is transformed into his giant claw and he is no longer holding the badge.
* During the chase out of Cusco, when Optimus Prime reaches the bend, the Terrorcons are very close behind him. However, when he transforms into robot mode, they are suddenly much further back.
* When Stratosphere transforms in Peru, it starts with him facing away from Optimus Prime. However, in the next shot he's now facing towards him.
* When Scourge walks away with the second half of the key, his left arm switches from the claw to the cannon between shots.

===Geographic discontinuities===
* There ''is'' a museum on Ellis Island... however, it's a [https://www.statueofliberty.org/ellis-island/national-immigration-museum/ museum that documents the turn-of-the-century immigrant experience], and not the generalized natural history museum shown in the film. Notably, the actual museum is composited out of the movie's establishing shots so that the made-up museum setpiece can replace it.
* Elena states that she has never left New York. Ellis Island, her place of work, is almost completely owned by the state of New Jersey, discounting a small portion that was the island's original size that is still a part of New York. Even discounting that, the waters surrounding the island are wholly owned by the Garden State.
* When the Autobots arrive at Cusco, they land at the citadel of [[Sacsayhuamán]], an Inca fortress on the northern outskirts of the city, and the site is deserted. Even on a normal day, it should be crawling with tourists, but the Autobots are specifically said to arrive during the [[Inti Raymi]] festival... whose central activity is a recreation of an Inca ceremony ''at'' Sacsayhuamán.
* The fight with the corrupted Airazor takes place at Machu Picchu, which nobody is witness to, as again it is completely deserted. It should be crawling with tourists, the staff that works at the site, the guests and staff of the lodge located right next to the complex, or the population of the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of the mountain.

===Anachronisms===
* Though the "you died!" music and mention of Bowser imply Kris is playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his Game Boy, that game wouldn't see a release on the system until 1999's ''[https://www.mariowiki.com/Super_Mario_Bros._Deluxe Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]'' on the Game Boy Color (which was incompatible with the original monochrome model anyway). The only ''Mario'' platformers released for Game Boy by 1994 were the ''Super Mario Land'' games, which featured different antagonists and music.
* The F1 car which Mirage briefly turns into is based on a design chassis that would be introduced at the very end of the 90s (at least [[1998]]/[[1999]]).
* Elena sings "Waterfalls" by TLC to calm herself down. Assuming the film takes place in June, it would still be a few months until the November 1994 release of the album ''CrazySexyCool'', which the song first appeared on.
* Similarly, Mirage quotes a line from ''Dumb and Dumber'', a film that would not release until December 1994.
* A green car that was smashed and thrown in the Museum scene was a B5.5 Volkswagen Passat which would not be released until 2001.
* The promo for ''60 Minutes'' uses the program's contemporary imaging, including the use of the current CBS News logotype above that of the show.

==Music==
During the runup to the movie's theatrical release, star [[Tobe Nwigwe]], who portrays [[Reek]] in the film, collaborated with hip-hop mainstay Nas and Nigerian R&B artist Jacob Banks on the single "[[On My Soul]]", and released on [[May 19]], 2023. A remix of the song is featured during the climactic battle, though this particular mix has (sadly) not been released officially. Paramount also released a [[Transformers Rise of the Beats|Spotify-exclusive playlist]] featuring most of the 90s rap needle drops, including [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[The Notorious B.I.G.]], and once again Nas, to name a few.

A score album, ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', was released to music streaming services on June 9, the same day as the film. An expanded vinyl edition of the score was later released on [[December 15]], featuring five bonus cues. Then, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of ''Rise of the Beasts'', a collection of pre-production music suites was compiled onto an album entitled ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music That Inspired the Score)]]'', which was released on June 9th, [[2024]].

==Home video releases==
{{main|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)/home video}}
Just a month after its theatrical release, Paramount released ''Rise of the Beasts'' to digital storefronts on [[July 11]], with the DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray releases following a few months later on [[October 10]]. Bonus features include cast and crew featurettes and deleted/extended scenes.

==Reception==
{{quote|Thanks to some genuine human drama between the set pieces and palpable affection for the title characters, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is one of the franchise's more enjoyable outings.|Critics Consensus|[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_rise_of_the_beasts Rotten Tomatoes]}}

Coming off the back of the generally well-received ''Bumblebee'', ''Rise of the Beasts'' received mixed reviews. While critics largely praised the old-school adventure film sequences and the performances of the human leads, most criticism was directed at the film's protracted final battle scene and its overuse of computer-generated imagery—in particular, some critics juxtaposed the film's tamer action scenes against the madcap, sometimes over-the-top practical effect-based destruction employed by [[Michael Bay]] during his time in the director's chair. As of writing, the film holds a 52% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although the audience score sits at a much higher 91%.

In the US and Canada, ''Rise of the Beasts'' opened to a strong $60.5 million start—higher than both ''The Last Knight'' and ''Bumblebee'' <ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-spider-man-spiderverse-1235412771/ "'Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' Conquers 'Spider-Verse' With $60M+ Opening, But Animated Pic's Second Weekend Hold Strong -- Box Office"]</ref>—but suffered a brutal 66.1 percent drop in its second weekend, where it lost out to other June releases; ''{{w|The Flash (film)|The Flash}}'', ''{{w|Elemental (2023 film)|Elemental}}'', and ''{{w|Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse|Across the Spider-Verse}}''.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-box-office-disappoint-pixar-elemental-flop-1235647927/ "'The Flash' Disappoints With $55 Million Debut, Pixar's 'Elemental' Flops With $29.5 Million in Battle of Box Office Lightweights"]</ref><ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W24/?ref_=bo_we_nav Domestic 2023 Weekend 24]</ref> A week later, the film took in a comparatively dismal $11 million.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-the-flash-no-hard-feelings-jennifer-lawrence-1235422274/ 'Spider-Verse' Swinging Ahead Of 'Elemental' After Game Of Chicken; 'Flash' Edging Out 'No Hard Feelings' -- Saturday PM Box Office]</ref> The film's domestic theatrical run came to a close in August 2023 with approximately a $439 million worldwide gross, marking the lowest-grossing instalment in the franchise.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-franchise-box-office-low/]</ref>

Despite the lower-than-expected box office performance, Hasbro seems to regard the film as an overall success and noted it as one of the top box office performers of the year in a subsequent investor presentation.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/08/03/tfw2005-coverage-of-hasbro-2023-q2-earnings-conference-call-492111 TFW2005 Coverage Of Hasbro 2023 Q2 Earnings Conference Call</ref> This optimism might come down to the fact that the summer 2023 movie slate was ''particularly'' packed; this, combined with a post-COVID shift in media demographics, means that pretty much every summer movie that wasn't ''{{w|Barbie (film)|Barbie}}'' or ''{{w|Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer}}'' underperformed to some degree. Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins described the film's performance as "not great, but good" and blamed its financial woes on an increasingly fractured global box office less receptive to American movies—especially in China, the franchise's biggest overseas market, where ''Rise of the Beasts''' gross of $90 million was only half of what Paramount had projected it to earn.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/features/brian-robbins-paramount-pictures-tmnt-mutant-mayhem-tom-cruise-1235679142/ After a Decade in Limbo, Brian Robbins Is Giving Paramount a Makeover With ‘Ninja Turtles,’ Tom Cruise and ‘Gladiator 2’]</ref> It should be noted that ''Rise of the Beasts'' was a huge hit in [[Peru]], where the film's third act is set; it surpassed ''{{w|Avengers: Endgame}}'' as the highest-grossing movie ever in the country,<ref>[https://larepublica.pe/cine-series/2023/08/02/transformers-el-despertar-de-las-bestias-es-la-pelicula-mas-taquillera-de-la-historia-en-peru-transformers-7-machu-picchu-103204 'Transformers: el despertar de las bestias' es la película más taquillera de la historia en Perú]</ref> and Peru ranks as the fourth highest-grossing territory for the film, behind only the United States, China and Mexico.<ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr2443334149/ Rise of the Beasts International Numbers]</ref>

In 2024, ''Rise of the Beasts'' received no nominations for a {{w|Golden Raspberry Awards|Golden Raspberry Award}}. None whatsoever, including a {{w|Razzie Redeemer Award}}.<ref>[https://variety.com/2024/film/news/razzie-nominations-2024-chris-evans-jennifer-lopez-1235879949/]</ref> Although {{w|Jimmy Kimmel}} wasn't too fond of the movie as he even poked fun at its questionable state during the opening monologue at the {{w|96th Academy Awards}}.<ref>[https://lamag.com/awards-watch/jimmy-kimmel-oscars-monologue-best-and-worst-jokes]</ref>

==Development details==

[[File:TRANSFORMERS-2022.jpg|thumb|250px|This guy's got bearings of chrome steel.]]

* March 27, 2015 — [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" with the intention of building a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[http://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Goldsman goes on to hire a number of writers over the next few months: [[Steven DeKnight]] (''Daredevil''),<ref>[http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-cinematic-universe/35696/transformers-cinematic-details-more-writers-over-10-films Transformers cinematic details]</ref> [[Robert Kirkman]] (''The Walking Dead''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-writers-robert-kirkman-zak-penn-art-marcum-matt-holloway-jeff-pinkner-1201430601/ 'Transformers' Spinoff & Sequel Scribes Set] on Deadline.com</ref> [[Art Marcum]] and [[Matt Holloway]] (''Iron Man''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Christina Hodson]] (''Shut In'', ''The Fugitive''),<ref name="hodsonbeer">[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446175-christina-hodson-and-lindsey-beer-join-transformers-writing-team Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer Join the Transformers Writing Team]</ref> [[Lindsey Beer]] (''Dig''),<ref name="hodsonbeer" /> [[Zak Penn]] (''Pacific Rim 2''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Jeff Pinkner]] (''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'', ''Lost''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] (''Ant-Man''),<ref name="barrerferrari">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref> [[Ken Nolan]] (''Black Hawk Down''), and [[Geneva Robertson-Dworet]].<ref name="nolandworet">[http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-writers-room/ Akiva Goldsman Teases 'Transformers' Franchise Plans]</ref> Involved in the pitching process are [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Michael Bay]], [[Brian Goldner]], [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Mark Vahradian]], and [[Don Murphy]].<ref name="deadlinereveal">[http://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref>
* October 3, 2015 — During his keynote speech at the MIP Junior Conference, [[Allspark (company)|Allspark]]'s [[Stephen J. Davis]] notes that the writing team has come up with film concepts for Transformers 5, 6, 7, and 8.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_P2fw_DlS4&t=812 Stephen Davis's keynote speech] at MIPJunior.</ref>
* February 12, 2016 — At [[Toy Fair 2016]], Hasbro reveals the projected release date of Transformers 7, along with the dates for the two preceding films.<ref name="toyfairreveal" />
* September 23, 2017 — At Licensing Europe 2017, Hasbro announces Transformers 7 will have an "entirely new, exciting storyline".<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/09/23/2019-transformers-movie-feature-entirely-new-storyline-349463 2019 Transformers Movie To Feature An Entirely New Storyline] on TFW2005</ref>
* February 16, 2018 — Hasbro clarifies at [[Toy Fair 2018]] that the film will be a reset of the franchise and has been delayed indefinitely until a new creative team is in place.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/02/16/transformers-cinematic-universe-current-movie-series-rebooted-358641 Transformers Cinematic Universe Is Over: Current Movie Series To Be Rebooted] on TFW2005</ref>
* May 24, 2018 — Paramount drops the film from their release schedule.<ref>[http://collider.com/transformers-7-cancelled/amp/ Paramount Officially Pulls the Next 'Transformers' Sequel from Their Release Date Schedule] on Collider</ref>
* March 15, 2019 — di Bonaventura states a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' is in development.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/two-sequels-in-transformers-live-action-franchise-confirmed-in-development/43083/ Two Sequels in Transformers Live Action Franchise Confirmed in Development] on Seibertron</ref>
* March 18, 2019 — di Bonaventura claims that the next main ''Transformers'' film will be a reboot closely tied to the ''Bumblebee'' sequel, rather than a direct sequel to ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''. Either way, Paramount will pick the best script for ''Transformers 7'' and release that first.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bumblebee-producer-says-next-transformers-movie-wi/1100-6465652/ Bumblebee Producer Says Next Transformers Movie Will Be A Reboot] on GameSpot</ref>
[[File:Stevencaplejr autobot cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Hey, you think ''that's'' speed? You ain't seen the Golden Rocket.]]
[[File:Stevencaplejr terrorcon cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Then we will create ''alternate forms'', based on the most powerful local creatures!]]
* January 27, 2020 — Variety reports two ''Transformers'' films are being penned, to be produced simultaneously: one written by [[James Vanderbilt]], another to be written by [[Joby Harold]].<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/film/news/transformers-franchise-revamp-bumblebee-james-vanderbilt-joby-harold-1203482496/ ‘Transformers’ Franchise Gets a Revamp With Two Separate Films in the Works] on Variety</ref> Deadline reports that Vanderbilt's script is for a spin-off film based on ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', while Harold's script continues the story from the ''Bumblebee'' film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/01/transformers-movies-paramount-1202843234/ Dual ‘Transformers’ Movies In The Works At Paramount] on Deadline</ref>
* May 2, 2020 — [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms that a new Transformers live-action movie is slated to release on [[June 24]], 2022. However, only one between Harold's ''Bumblebee'' sequel and Vanderbilt's ''Beast Wars'' film will make it to production first.
* August 21, 2020 — New Republic Pictures is announced as a new co-financier for Paramount in a ten-picture deal in the wake of the success of 2019's ''Rocketman''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/08/paramount-pictures-new-republic-pictures-10-picture-cofinancing-deal-top-gun-maverick-1203018250/ New Republic Pictures Signs 10-Pic Co-Fi Deal With Paramount Pictures; ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Among Films] on Deadline</ref>
* November 16, 2020 — [[Steven Caple Jr.]] is announced as the director.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/11/transformers-director-steven-caple-jr-1234613830/ Transformers’: ‘Creed 2’ Director Steven Caple Jr. Tapped To Direct Next Installment In Paramount And Hasbro Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* April 1, 2021 — [[Anthony Ramos]] is in talks for a starring role.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-7-cast-anthony-ramos/ Exclusive: Anthony Ramos in Talks to Star in New 'Transformers' Movie] at Collider</ref>
* April 29, 2021 — [[Dominique Fishback]] is in final negotiations to star in the film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2021/04/transformers-dominique-fishback-anthony-ramos-paramount-eone-and-hasbro-franchise-1234746855/ 'Transformers': Dominique Fishback Lands Lead Role Opposite Anthony Ramos In Next Installment For The Paramount Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* June 13, 2021 — A casting call sheet for filming in Montreal reveals that the film is set in [[1992]].<ref>[https://www.transformersfr.com/t5190p250-parlons-des-films-transformers-a-venir#190206 Rumeur ― le "7ème Film Transformers en prise de vue réelle" se déroulerait en 1992] on transformersfr.com</ref>
* June 22, 2021 — A Paramount virtual event is held in which the movie's title, premise, and few of the characters and cast are unveiled (revealing it to be both the ''Bumblebee'' and ''Beast Wars'' films in one).<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Currently attending a Paramount virtual event about the next #Transformers film. Report to follow!|link=https://twitter.com/search?q=(from%3ABWTF_Ben)%20until%3A2021-06-23%20since%3A2021-06-22|name=Ben Yee|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://bwtf.com/news/rise-of-the-beasts-character-descriptions|name=Ben Yee|site=BWTF|title=Movie News: "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" Character Descriptions|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref> The film's logo and official premise are also unveiled on official Transformers social media accounts.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The battle on Earth is no longer just between Autobots and Decepticons… Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons join Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, in theatres June 24, 2022.|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1407422768602181632|name=@transformers|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref>
* June 28, 2021 — [[Ron Perlman]] is announced to be reprising his role as Optimus Primal from ''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Power of the Primes]]''. [[Darnell Metayer]] and [[Josh Peters]] are confirmed as writers, inspired by Joby Harold's earlier draft.<ref>{{citesocial|quote='''Ron Perlman''' has been tapped to voice Optimus Primal in '''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''', Collider has exclusively learned. [...] ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be led by rising stars '''Anthony Ramos''' (''In the Heights'') and '''Dominique Fishback''' (''Judas and the Black Messiah''), and '''Steven Caple Jr.''' (''Creed II'') is directing from a script by '''Darnell Metayer''' and '''Josh Peters''', who worked off an earlier draft by '''Joby Harold'''.|link=https://collider.com/ron-perlman-optimus-primal-voice-transformers-7-rise-of-the-beasts/|name=Jeff Sneider|site=Collider|title=Exclusive: 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Adds Ron Perlman as Voice of Optimus Primal|year=2021|month=06|day=28}}</ref>
* July 11, 2021 — Rapper [[Tobe Nwigwe]] announces on Instagram that he's been cast in the movie.<ref>[https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/houston-s-tobe-nwigwe-earns-emmy-nom-16317174 Houston’s Tobe Nwigwe earns Emmy nom, 'Transformers' role] from the Houston Chronicle</ref>
* October 6, 2021 — Caple Jr. reveals the vehicle modes for the Autobot and Terrorcon cast through his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The squad is out…|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CUsm_wyLory/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* October 20, 2021 — Filming is completed.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=That’s a wrap 🎬|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOw5z2r9TP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 21, 2021 — Cuscopolita reports on the vehicles with the film's Peru crew, confirming the unidentified vehicles as [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] and [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.facebook.com/cuscopolitamagazine/videos/1941112319403899|name=Cuscopolita|site=Facebook|title=Exclusiva con los Transformers|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 22, 2021 — Ramos makes a guest appearance on [[Hasbro Pulse Con 2021]], confirming Cheetor, his favorite ''Beast Wars'' character, will be in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I am a ''Transformers'' fan, ''Beast Wars'' fan, Cheetor is my #1 favorite of all time, so it's dope to have Cheetor, to be in this movie with Cheetor, it's gonna be crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjtxJqrv-bI&t=6051s|name=Anthony Ramos|site=YouTube|title=Hasbro PulseCon 2021 - DAY ONE|year=2021|month=10|day=22}}</ref>
* November 10, 2021 — Paramount announces the film has been delayed to [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release">{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has moved back a year and will now bow June 9, 2023. It previously was slated for June 24, 2022.|link=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-trek-transformers-movie-release-date-1235045937/|name=Aaron Couch|site=The Hollywood Reporter|title=‘Star Trek,’ ‘Transformers’ Movies Pushed Back at Paramount|year=2021|month=11|day=10}}</ref>
* February 15, 2022 — Paramount confirms that ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be the first entry in a trilogy of films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will be released theatrically in 2023 and is the first of three new installments. A new animated series from @Nickelodeon arrives this fall. And in 2024, the franchise expands further with a CG animated Transformers theatrical film. #ParamountPlus|link=https://twitter.com/paramountplus/status/1493706271207292928|name=Paramount+|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=02|day=15}}</ref>
* October 11, 2022 — Caple Jr. reveals through Instagram that [[Pete Davidson]] is the voice of Mirage, and [[Michelle Yeoh]] is the voice of Airazor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Sneak peek of Pete voicing Mirage & @michelleyeoh_official blessing us as the voice of Air Razor|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjlx3PPPC_J/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=11}}</ref>
* October 21, 2022 — [[Tobe Nwigwe]] states on an Instagram post that they are doing some re-shoots for ''Rise of the Beasts'', including featuring his character in additional scenes.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The head people from ''Transformers'' said I did so good in my part they wanna add me to some more scenes. So I gotta go shoot some more stuff for ''Transformers''.|link=https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj9PnevsVb1/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=21}}</ref>
[[File:ROTBTeaserPoster.jpg|thumb|250px|right|I'd say that's PRIME! Let's do it!]]
* December 1, 2022 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWWDskI46Js official teaser trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures in conjunction with São Paulo's CCXP convention, giving audiences a first glimpse of the film and its various characters, including Mirage, Arcee, Scourge and the Maximals. Multiple voice cast members are also announced.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2022/12/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-peter-dinklage-liza-koshy-john-dimaggio-cast-1235186104/]</ref>
* December 2, 2022 — [[Jongnic Bontemps]] is announced as the film's score composer.<ref>[http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/12/02/jongnic-bontemps-to-compose-music-for-steven-caple-jr-s-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts/]</ref>
* December 16, 2022 — Caple Jr. shares a clip of Peter Cullen performing on his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=🐐|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmPM80yPcsP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=12|day=16}}</ref>
* December 26, 2022 — Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal make a "guest" appearance on the 2022 [[Nickelodeon]] Nickmas NFL game, showcasing both modes and their transformations.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5X0F_AvY8Q YouTube upload] of a recording for Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal on the 2022 Nickmas NFL game</ref>
* January 31, 2023 — [[Sam Smith]] reveals toy concept art for a new character from the film, [[Freezer]].<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFlXXNOly1/</ref>
* February 12, 2023 — Paramount airs a 30-second TV spot detailing Mirage's Porsche 911 vehicle mode for Super Bowl LVII in collaboration with Porsche.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/02/2023-super-bowl-movie-trailers-the-flash-fast-x-transformers-ant-man-expected-1235247160/ Super Bowl Movie Trailer Spots Will Include ‘The Flash’, ‘Fast X’, ‘Transformers’ & ‘Ant-Man’ — Deadline]</ref>
* April 2, 2023 — During the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Final Four on CBS, Paramount aired a first-of-its-kind mixed reality TV spot that showed off Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal appearing on a 90s basketball court that transformed from the court the actual basketball match was being played on. A few brief clips from the first trailer were also shown.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeIfpbUAHg]</ref>
* April 6, 2023 — Actor [[Tongayi Chirisa]] announces on Instagram that he is the voice of Cheetor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So there is a story to this!!! Per the usual standard .. I had to sign an NDA, so I had NO IDEA what I was reading for.. it was only when I was in the booth to do my voice over that it dawned on me that I was reading for TRANSFORMERS Like what!!!🤯🤯🤯🤯 I totally geeked out in the moment.. Man, to say this is mad exciting is an understatement... So thankful. So honored, so blessed!!!! Massive shout out and THANK YOU to @stevencaplejr for putting your boi on! Appreciate you, fam!!! @transformersmovie..🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 IT WAS ALL A DREAM!!!! Welcome, y'all. I am your transformer #CHEETOR!!!! Let's goooo!!!!!! #NdezvaMwari #Yeshua #smallbeginnings #ontherise|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqs_PQ1J_s6/|name=Tongayi Chirisa|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=04|day=06}}</ref>
* April 14, 2023 — To promote the film, Optimus Prime introduces Tobe Nwigwe's performance of "[[On My Soul]]" at {{w|Coachella}}.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Calling all Autobots. @TobeNwigwe and #OptimusPrime have rolled out to #Coachella. #Transformers #RiseOfTheBeasts|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1647069845731803136|name=Transformers|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=04|day=14}}</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itnqEauWQZM official trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures, revealing more of the movie and Unicron's role in the plot, as well as delivering a first, brief look at the Predacons.
* May 6, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxore0Gxwpc first clip] is showcased at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, showing the Autobots' first interaction with the Maximals.
* May 12, 2023 — The website Puliwood reveals the film's Hungarian dub cast...including the voice of [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]], a character that had not yet been announced to be appearing in the film.<ref>[https://www.puliwood.hu/ismertetok/exkluziv-ilyen-szinkronhangokkal-jon-a-transformers-a-fenevadak-kora-325900.html EXKLUZÍV: ilyen szinkronhangokkal jön a Transformers: A fenevadak kora]</ref>
* May 27, 2023 — The film's world premiere is held at Marina Bay Sands in [[Singapore]].
* June 5, 2023 — David Sobolov confirms on Instagram that he is also voicing Apelinq in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CtIhCcwu4Ld/|quote=#transformers #riseofthebeasts fans… I just saw our epic premiere in Brooklyn! Tonight, I’m excited to reveal that I am the voice… of Apelinq!|name=David Sobolov|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=06|day=05}}</ref>
{{--}}

===Changes before, during, and after production===
[[File:ROTB-concept-Rampage.jpg|thumb|250px|I prefer to beat my enemies the old-fashioned way: brutally!]]
* An early cut of the film opened with a different prologue, in which a Decepticon named [[Transit (ROTB)|Transit]], dispatched from a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron to hunt down Optimus Prime, battles and is killed by Optimus, who dumps his body in the Hudson River alongside numerous other Decepticons who have tried to do the same in the past few years. The scene was dropped due to test audiences finding it too dark, but [[John DiMaggio]] remains credited as the voice of Transit even in the finished film. Most of the visual effects for the scene were completed, and it was included (sans the river-dumping part) as a bonus feature with the movie's home media release.
** The scene was replaced for the finished film with Unicron's attack on the Maximal homeworld, which in the earlier cut was recounted by Airazor with hologram visual-aids during the scene when she meets the Autobots mid-movie.
* Cheetor and Rhinox were initially intended to be introduced slightly earlier, encountering Elena and Noah in the underground cavern. In scenes interspersed with the Autobots' and Terrorcons' running battle on the hilltop road, Cheetor was to be the one who took down Freezer as he menaced the two humans, after which Noah's gauntlet would accidentally fire a shot at the Maximal, causing him and Rhinox to chase them through the cave. Cut in favor of making the Autobot/Terrorcon battle one unbroken scene, the alternate version was included as a bonus on the home media release.
*According to concept artists [[Eddie Del Rio]] and [[Shane Baxley]] more [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] other than Scorponok were considered to have a role in the movie; known characters include: [[Waspinator (ROTB)|Waspinator]], [[:File:ROTBRamhorn.jpg|Ramhorn]], [[:File:ROTBSpittor.jpg|Spittor]] and [[:File:Rampage-face.jpg|Rampage]].
** However while development on the first three of them only got as far as rough sketches, it appears Rampage went pretty far into production before being scrapped, to the point where he was originally supposed to appear as [[:File:ROTB-Rampage-concept.jpg|a deceased corpse]] during the underground cavern sequence of the movie and [https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu44E6aoECC/ a full 360° CGI model] was even animated for the character.
* Multiple changes were made to the film's ending, which originally had a much darker tone like the scrapped opening. Originally, Mirage wasn't planned to survive the final battle, and Optimus would have been sucked into the portal after destroying the Transwarp Key and wind up floating in space before Unicron in the post-credits scene. Reactions by the audience in test screenings convinced Caple to change the ending to something a bit more hopeful, wanting to let the good guys get a solid win.<ref name=AltEnding>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-ending-1235512382/ ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Director Steven Caple Jr. Talks That Ending, Hailee Steinfeld and Test Screening Changes — The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> The scene of Prime and Unicron was included as an extra with the home media release.
* Two versions of the final scene were filmed: one in which Agent Burke's business card reveals him to be part of [[Sector Seven]], and the version used in the film, in which he's part of G.I. Joe. According to Caple, the Sector Seven version was filmed only as misdirection, and the G.I. Joe version was always the one he intended to use.<ref name=Joe/>
* Other deleted/extended scenes included on the home media release include: Elena's moment of panicked disbelief (prominently showcased in the movie's trailer) shortly after the museum battle; Noah speaking with his mother when he returns home after the museum battle; a wholesomely cute moment between Elena and Airazor before Mirage and Noah join the group to depart for Peru, in which Airazor explains the Maximal insignia; and a short scene of Optimus Primal about to hand the Transwarp Key over to Optimus Prime, before they are interrupted by Airazor's rampage.
* Additional cuts not represented in the extras from throughout the film included: a scene of Bumblebee showing a polaroid of himself and [[Charlie Watson]] to Optimus Prime as they wait outside the museum, to emphasise that some humans are trustworthy; innuendos between Arcee and Wheeljack that hint at a romantic attraction between the two; some dialogue from Scourge emphasising that (not unlike Galvatron in the original animated movie) he is an unwilling servant of Unicron; a scene of Wheeljack lending his glasses to Optimus Prime to use like a telescope; and an alternate plan to destroy the Transwarp Key in the final act that involves using the deceased Airazor's spark as a bomb, only for the bomb to be lost, leaving Elena to figure out the codes.
* During production, the Scorponok drones initially had a troll-like robot mode, and dozens of them would have merged into a massive Scorponok [[combiner]] that towered over the Autobots and Maximals in the final battle. Although their [https://www.eddiedelrio.com 3D models] were made, they were ultimately cut out.
* Concept art was created for a fourth Terrorcon who ultimately never made it to the final film. This character was referred to with the working name “[[:File:Bloodhound.jpeg|'''Bloodhound''']]” <ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CuheJkfxGeW/|quote=Early ideas for #bloodhound. He was my first task so I mostly carried over the process used on #bumblebee back in 2017. Swipe and you can see the rough sculpts I did in VR to capture attitude/proportion/etc. Then I would paint in details with photoshop. By the end of the show I was blocking in VR then jumped straight to zbrush/maya as it took roughly the same amount of time to sculpt everything.|name=Shane Baxley|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=07|day=10}}</ref> and would have transformed into a demonic-looking Oldsmobile 442. <ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CuPeUkzROiu/|quote=BLOODHOUND! This was the first #terracon Haworth had me do using an #oldsmobile442 which I think @stevencaplejr has in his garage? Unfortunately the scenes with this guy got cut - but he still got #imdb credit 🤣🤙🏻 #transformers #riseofthebeasts|name=Shane Baxley|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=07|day=03}}</ref>
{{--}}

==Notes==
* In a first for the franchise, the lead human actors, multiple writers, the composer, and the director are all people of color.
* This is the first movie in the series not to be worked on by [[Industrial Light & Magic]]; this time around the CG effects were done by [[Moving Picture Company]] and [[WetaFX]].
* Steven Caple Jr. was initially sceptical of working on a ''Transformers'' movie, which at that point in development was being called ''Bumblebee 2'', because he was uncertain about jumping right into another sequel after directing ''{{w|Creed II}}''—however, the incorporation of elements inspired by ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', which Caple Jr. had been a fan of, helped sway him. Upon joining the project, he pitched several revisions, drawing from his enthusiasm for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' by adding [[Unicron]] (and the [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s) and Noah's exosuit, along with a prologue on the [[Maximal]]s' homeworld and a new arc for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] centred around his initial misanthropy.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The first time that- I did ''Creed 2'', and the first time the studio ever knocked on my door, it was for ''Bumblebee 2''. And I was like, "I don't want to do- I just came out from ''Creed 2'', I don't want to do a sequel..." you know? And so a year had gone by—or maybe two, right before COVID—and they said, "we found out the story we want to tackle: we want to bring in ''Beast Wars''." I was like, "I know all about ''Beast Wars'', I'm down for ''Beast Wars''." And so they developed a script on their own, they passed it to me—2020, October 5th, I remember the date—and I jumped right in and I kind of did my own version of the pitch, I said: "I love where you guys are going, you guys want to do New York, you guys want to do the 90s, you want to do Peru, but here's what I'll do, with the characters..." So I changed up Optimus Prime, I gave him a whole pitch on how I would start him with like, not loving humans at first, and not besiding Noah right off the rip, they're gonna have friction between the two... Gave 'em a pitch for Optimus Primal, where they start off in the top of the movie, and I gave them a new Unicron- I mean a new villain, which was Unicron and the Terrorcon squad. I just felt like, as a fan, we've been tiptoeing around Unicron, and all the other films kind of like hinted towards him towards the end, and I just really want to expand the universe and I felt like he was that perfect source to do so, because he tells us there's another world out there, there's more Transformers out there, it's not just Autobots and Decepticons. And then of course the [[exosuit]], that was my idea, it was homage to the 80s cartoon, so... It was a bit of that, pitched it to 'em and they loved the heart, they love where I was going with the direction of the characters, and yeah, they kind of gave me the key to play!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxUukVwKLCc|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Collider|title=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Interview: Director Reveals Big Change to Film|year=2023|month=06|day=06}}</ref>
* [[Tobe Nwigwe]]'s character of [[Reek]] was based Steven Caple Jr.'s friend Tarik Jackson, who passed away before shooting began in 2021.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The way I got the ''Transformers'' role was insane. [...] One of [Steven Caple Jr.'s] best friends was a fan of the music, and his best friend, right, like, as they was getting ready to start shooting the movie... passed. Passed, yeah. And he had Paramount Studios reach out to me to try to play a specific- the best friend role in ''Transformers''. They kind of emulated who his best friend was in real life. He told Paramount [...] "reach out to Tobe and if he send anything back that's even ''halfway'' decent... I want to use him." But because I had never done no acting ever in my life, I just had this script right here, and just read it like I was acting, and just recorded myself on the iPhone and I was like, "yo there's no way in hell..." [...] I did that, sent that in, and they liked it!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfAoWTKh3R8&t=2638s|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Sway's Universe|year=2023|month=01|day=23}}</ref>
* The fourth-wall-breaking [[Mark Wahlberg]] namedrop was ad-libbed by [[Pete Davidson]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We wanted to break the fourth wall. In all fairness, Pete Davidson made that up in the booth, and we laughed so hard, we're like in tears, and we're like there's no way we could not use this. We had ad-libbed a whole bunch of stuff. One was on, "Beanie Babies was weird", and he was like, what about Marky Mark leaving the Funky Bunch? And we were just in tears. And then we showed the studio and everybody loved it and was like, "let's just break the fourth wall. Do it."|link=https://gizmodo.com/breaking-the-fourth-wall-in-transformers-rise-of-the-b-1850514340|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=io9|title=Breaking the Fourth Wall in ''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=06|day=09}}</ref>
* During the production of the film, Ramos had to acquire a driver's license at Caple Jr.'s behest.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DDi5f1SL4oESslcZLjhhG|name=Anthony Ramos|site=the Spout Podcast|year=2021}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=I had a two-week window to get an appointment at the DMV, and the DMV was initially uncooperative. Finally, after much haggling, I was able to secure an appointment. I took the test in my mother's car after a few months of practice with an instructor. Fortunately, I was able to pass.|link=https://theplaylist.net/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-anthony-ramos-talks-representation-in-franchises-getting-his-drivers-license-for-the-film-interview-20230607/|name=Anthony Ramos|site=The Playlist|title='Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts': Anthony Ramos Talks Representation In Franchises & Getting His Driver's License For The Film [Interview]|year=2023|month=06|day=07}}</ref>
* During an interview with a fan, voice actor David Sobolov revealed that Caple Jr. would create storyboards using Transformers toys. Awesome!<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdsfclO5etE&t=1106 "ROTB UNICRON IS THRILLING!" | Interview with DAVID SOBOLOV (Rhinox + Battletrap)! - YouTube]</ref>
* According to Caple Jr., Optimus's unmasked face was modeled after Peter Cullen's.
* As a result of Transit's removal, this is the first live-action film to not feature the Decepticons in any capacity.
* To keep the secret of the ''G.I. Joe'' tease at the end of the movie, most copies of the script and the version of the scene shot for test screenings all used [[Sector Seven]] instead. Michael Kelly also didn't know the big twist with his character until he arrived on set. Caple Jr. even had only a single ''G.I. Joe'' business card printed, on the day of filming, and took it from the set himself afterwards for safekeeping!<ref name=Joe>{{citesocial|quote=There was one version of the script that mentioned the G.I. Joe reveal. All other copies, including the one in the studio's possession, described the military organization as Sector 7. "That way no one could leak the script," Caple notes. [...] Caple says they shot two versions of Kelly's scene, one where Burke's business card reads Sector 7 and one where the card reads G.I. Joe, so audiences in test screenings wouldn't know the true reveal. There was only one copy of the G.I. Joe business card, and Caple took that himself from set for safe keeping. "I was like, 'I'm taking this. I don't want this to be found on the floor,'" he says. "I actually didn't have them printed out until that day [on set]. We were very cautious of it, man. We were really trying to be as secretive as possible."|link=https://ew.com/movies/transformers-g-i-joe-crossover-plans/|name=Nick Romano|site=Entertainment Weekly|title=Inside the top-secret plans for Transformers and G.I. Joe|year=2023|month=06|day=12}}</ref>
* This is the first live-action Transformers movie where the Japanese dub wasn't sound directed by [[Keiichirō Miyoshi]]. Instead it is directed by [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]], who had been responsible for the dub of the original ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Beast Kakusei''''' (トランスフォーマー/ビースト覚醒 ''Toransufōmā Bīsuto Kakusei'', "Transformers: Beast Awakening")
* ''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin3jing4 Gam1gong1: Kwong4sau3 Gwat6hei2''''' (變形金剛：狂獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Réveil des Bêtes''''' (Canada, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''German:'' '''''Transformers: Aufstieg der Bestien''''' ("Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers: A fenevadak kora''''' ("Transformers: The Age of the Beasts")
* ''Italian: '' '''''Transformers: Il Risveglio''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening")
* ''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Wàn Shòu Juéqǐ''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛：萬獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Chāonéng Yǒngshì Juéqǐ''''' (China, 变形金刚：超能勇士崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beast Wars")
* ''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Despertar das Feras''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Despertar de las Bestias''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Voskhozhdeniye Zverobotov''''' (Трансформеры: Восхождение Звероботов, "Transformers: Rise of the Beastbots")
* ''Ukrainian:'' '''''Transformery: Chas Zvirobotiv''''' (Трансформери: Час Звіроботів, "Transformers: Time of the Beastbots")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts| ]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts media]]

Enemy of My Enemy Part Two

2024-09-15T16:42:58Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Terminator references */ Further clarification on how recent the development is.

{{disambig3|Enemy of My Enemy}}

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' #2
|prev=Enemy of My Enemy Part One
|next=Enemy of My Enemy Part Three
|image=TFTerminator 2 cvrB.jpg
|title="Enemy of My Enemy Part Two"
|caption=Part metal, part meat. Like a tin of spam.
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] and [[Dark Horse Comics]]
|date=[[June 24]], [[2020]]
|coverdate=June 2020
|story by= [[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[John Barber]]
|written by=[[David Mariotte]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[David García Cruz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Tom Waltz]], [[Riley Farmer]] and [[Megan Brown]]
}}

'''The Terminator battles Megatron's forces while Sarah Connor makes some unexpected allies, but can the T-800 cooperate with the very beings he's been sent to destroy?'''

==Synopsis==
With the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' having reawakened [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and his [[Decepticon]]s, it seems as though nothing can spoil the Decepticon leader's moment of triumph as he levels his [[fusion cannon]] at the still-dormant [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]... but he didn't bargain on the [[T-800]]! Although his first shotgun blast simply bounces off his enemy's armor, Megatron's bemused overconfidence gives the Terminator—armed with superhuman aim and extensive knowledge of Cybertronian weak points—an opening to take out his left optic with one well-placed shot! Wounded and furious, Megatron orders [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to destroy the intruder. The Terminator's unwilling companion [[Sarah Connor]] weighs her options and decides to make a run for it before the aliens notice her, but Soundwave detects her presence and dispatches [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to eliminate her.

Soundwave and Starscream struggle to pin down the smaller and more maneuverable T-800, but Megatron's chief concern is getting his fellow Decepticons back online, using [[Teletraan I]]'s restorative beam to repair and reactivate the remaining Decepticons before eliminating the [[stasis lock]]ed-Autobots. In the meantime, the Terminator withstands Soundwave's sonic blasts and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s lasers, then returns fire by hefting a discarded Cybertronian weapon off the ground and using it to send the purple [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] flying. Ravage pursues Sarah Connor as the [[human]] clambers up a nearby cable and the chase takes them onto Teletraan's console. Ravage's pounce knocks the computer's scanner so that the repair beam intended for [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] hits ''Optimus'' instead; as Starscream and Soundwave try to pin down the Terminator, they're caught off-guard when the revitalized Autobot leader promptly catches the two by surprise and sends them both sprawling! The Decepticons promptly break off their attack on the Terminator and turn their attention to Prime; correctly deducing that there might be ''two'' factions at play here, Sarah turns the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s repair systems on another robot who sports Optimus Prime's symbol... and, a few seconds later, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] joins the fight!

A panicked Starscream assumes that ''all'' the Autobots are coming back to life and orders a retreat. Despite his low opinion of the air commander, Megatron sees wisdom in Starscream's words, and orders his Decepticons to fall back as he blasts a hole in the side of the ship and flies off. The explosion leaves Prime and Bumblebee shaken but unhurt... but Prime, dismayed, notes the collateral damage has killed many Autobots and left more badly injured. Optimus thanks his strange rescuer for intervening, but the Terminator, now reduced to his metal endoskeleton, informs the pair that they too must be terminated!

The Terminator lands a shot on Optimus before Bumblebee wrestles him to the ground, but all three of the robots stop in their tracks when Sarah intervenes, and points out that, as far as she can tell, the Terminator's aggression makes him the ''real'' menace. An intrigued Optimus helps her down from the console while mulling over the prospect of sentient organics. Sarah demands an explanation of the Terminator's mission and whether she should simply let the two bigger machines destroy him. The Terminator finally admits the course that history takes from this point: after the [[Mount St. Hilary]] eruption awakens the Cybertronians, Megatron's war against humanity will prompt the people of Earth to form [[Skywatch]], an anti-Transformer taskforce, and develop the [[Skynet]] supercomputer network to coordinate armies of man-made Terminator robots. But, despite Skynet's efforts, the war will end with total Cybertronian victory, the complete conquest of Earth... and mankind's extinction. Skynet only survives by feigning surrender and secretly constructing a time machine to retroactively win the war, but the Terminator's explanation deliberately omits the ''other'' part of his time-travelling mission—to ensure the creation of ''Skynet''.

Although Bumblebee's unmoved, Optimus mulls over the implications of this story. In the Terminator's future, he eventually concludes, he and the Autobots must have died today, or else they surely would've stood up against Megatron's tyranny. Thus, the Terminator's interference has ''already'' altered the timeline; if that's true, Prime concludes, then they still have a chance to work together, prevent this dire future from ever coming to pass, and ensure the freedom of ''all'' sentient beings on Earth—biological or mechanical. With Sarah's encouragement, the Terminator weighs his options and then, reluctantly, accepts Prime's truce. The strange alliance ratified, Optimus asks for Sarah's help with reviving more Autobots; Sarah accepts, if he'll take her home afterwards... but when the Autobot leader assumes his new [[alternate mode]], based on the truck that the Terminator hijacked to get them to [[Oregon]] in the first place, the reminder causes her to turn down the free ride.

On Oregon's west coast, the Decepticons regroup at a beach, where Starscream explains that their mysterious attacker was a cleverly-disguised machine, not one of the planet's native organic sentients. The fragile humans should give them no trouble, and Starscream illustrates this point by casually annihilating a nearby group of beachgoers. Pleased at the prospect of easy conquest, Megatron turns his attention to [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] and the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s as they return from scouting the surrounding area for energy. [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] reports that they've found a suitable power source to fuel their invasion: a nearby robotics laboratory that he suspects might be connected to their mechanical foe. The Decepticons eagerly lay siege to the lab, unaware of the building's portentous position in history... the [[Cyberdyne Systems]] factory!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (10)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (15)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (16)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (18)
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (19)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (20)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]? (21)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (22)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (2)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] (6)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (7)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (9)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (11)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (12)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (13)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] (14)

|c3=
* [[Sarah Connor]] (8)
* Beachgoers (23)

|h4=[[Skynet]]|c4=
* [[T-800]] (4)

}}

==Quotes==
"Goodbye, Optimus Prime. You die as you lived... ignorant and useless."
:—'''Megatron'''

"Look, I get that you have your reasons, but right now, I only see '''one''' killer robot. I mean, the yellow one's called Bumblebee. That's ridiculous."
:—'''Sarah Connor''' chews out '''the Terminator'''

"Together, we shall ensure '''both''' your people's survival... for freedom is the right of '''all''' sentient beings."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Refraktor (or, well, ''a'' Refraktor)'s dead body appeared in [[Enemy of My Enemy Part One|the previous issue]]; the T-800's story in this issue shows an army of Terminators gunning him down in the post-apocalyptic [[Los Angeles]] battleground we glimpsed in the first splash panel of issue #1.
* Curiously, this series depicts the three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s as stasis-locked Decepticons aboard the ''Ark''. This isn't true for the [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], which introduced the trio as having bailed from the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' during its crash in the episode "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]," nor the [[Marvel Comics continuity]], where the three travelled to Earth from Cybertron by [[space bridge]].

===Transformers references===
* As he prepares to put down Optimus Prime, Megatron takes a moment to thank Skywarp for waking him first; this sequence of events is consistent with "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", where Skywarp was the first Transformer aboard the ''Ark'' to be reformatted and reactivated by Teletraan I, and promptly interfered with the computer's scanning beams to bring Megatron and the other Decepticons back online.
* The Terminator's tactical overlay identifies Starscream as "MODEL 0022^15" in reference to both his traditional {{w|McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15}} alternate mode and his [[Starscream (Movie)|film counterpart]]'s {{w|Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor|F-22}} form, Soundwave as "MODEL MC^10", a nod to the [[Micro Change|Micro Change "Cassette Man"]] toy and the "MC-10" molded on its door, and, finally, Megatron as "MODEL P38^UNC", an allusion to the [[Micro Change]] "MC-13 Gun Robo Walther P-38 U.N.C.L.E.", named for its {{w|Walther P38}} altmode and accessories inspired by the television show {{w|''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.}}''
* A cocky Skywarp sardonically compares his battle against the Terminator to "shooting [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s in a barrel."
* It's not clear if [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is dead or simply injured after Megatron leaves, but he's shown leaking fire and smoke from a hole on his left side, evoking his death in the infamous opening battle of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Other Cybertronians, such as [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], are [[Aggressive depigmentation|colored gray]], evoking [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s fate from the film.
* In this universe, [[Skynet]] is revealed to have been created by [[Skywatch|Sky''watch'']]; first a clandestine US government agency, then a full-blown international taskforce, this anti-Transformer organization was an off-again, on-again antagonist during IDW Publishing's [[2005 IDW continuity|first ongoing ''Transformers'' continuity]], before the more famous [[Earth Defense Command]] replaced it during a [[2014]] storyline.
* The Terminator's story shows a victorious Megatron defacing the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] by turning it into his personal throne, in reference to a similar moment from ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]". The scene received a prior shout-out during the second act of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' and one of the endings of ''[[Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game]].
* Bumblebee calls Prime "Big Bot," a nickname [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] used for [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoons.
* The dune buggy on the beach is drawn and colored to resemble [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]'s [[alternate mode]].

===Terminator references===
* As she reactivates Bumblebee, Sarah ruefully notes that it "seems like Judgement Day's coming anyway" in reference to both {{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day|the second ''Terminator'' film}} and the [[fandom:terminator:Judgment Day|in-universe event]]—although the latter incident does not actually appear to have ''occurred'' in this particular timeline, with the devastated landscape from issue #1 apparently the result of a protracted Decepticon occupation, not a nuclear apocalypse.
* The [[fandom:terminator:Cyberdyne Systems|Cyberdyne Systems]] corporation plays a major role in ''Terminator'' lore; the factory that Megatron attacks is based on the location from {{w|The Terminator|the first ''Terminator'' film}}, where Sarah finally outsmarted the killer robot and fatally crushed him beneath a hydraulic press. {{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day|The sequel}} then revealed that Cyberdyne had helped ''create'' Skynet's technology after salvaging and reverse-engineering the Terminator's remains in a classic {{w|bootstrap paradox|bootstrap paradox}}. As the Skynet of ''this'' universe, is, at least in part, a creation of Skywatch, it remains to be seen just how Megatron's attack on the facility might change the future...
* After the Terminator's flesh covering is destroyed in its battle with the Decepticons, the endoskeleton still possesses the ability to speak -- something first demonstrated in the {{w|Terminator Salvation|the fourth ''Terminator'' film}} and later done in {{w|Terminator Zero|''Zero'', the 2024 Netflix anime series}}.

===Errors===
* On page five, Sideswipe is colored gray instead of red before the fight breaks out—although, given the nature of the scene, it’s possible that he's already dead.

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for an April 22nd release, this issue was deliberately pushed back to late June due to [[IDW Publishing]] temporarily suspending operations due to the {{w|COVID-19 pandemic}}.
* Backmatter for this issue is a four-page "How the Machines Are Made," feature, which feature a behind-the-scenes look at how the first two pages went from script, to layout, to inks, to color.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Optimus Prime and a time sphere, by [[Gavin Fullerton]]
* '''Cover B''': The T-800 triumphant, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[David García Cruz]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Optimus Prime and an army of Terminators, by [[Freddie E. Williams II]] and [[Jeremy Colwell]]

<gallery>
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrA.jpg
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrB.jpg
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*IDW digital comics

==External links==
[http://majorspoilers.com/2020/06/23/preview-transformers-vs-the-terminator-2/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers vs. The Terminator issues]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Enemy of My Enemy Part 2}}

Transformers: Prime (cartoon)

2024-09-15T16:36:07Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Production */ Fixing formatting

{{Nav-Prime}}

[[Image:TransformersPrimePremierePoster.jpg|thumb|300px|We finally have toys... we think.]]
'''''Transformers: Prime''''' is a multiple Daytime Emmy Award-winning [[computer-generated imagery|computer-animated]] television series that premiered on [[Hub Network|The Hub]] on [[November 26]], [[2010]] with a five-part mini-series, which was followed by a season of another 21 episodes beginning on [[February 11]], [[2011]]. Season 2 began screening [[February 18]], [[2012]], and a third season of thirteen episodes with the subtitle ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)#Season 3: Beast Hunters|Beast Hunters]]'' began screening on [[March 22]], [[2013]]. ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]'', a TV movie, concluded the show on [[October 4]], 2013.

The Canadian broadcast of the series has been undertaken by Corus Entertainment, and the show aired on Teletoon from [[January 9]], 2011 to [[August 16]], 2013, with the TV movie Predacons Rising premiering on [[November 15]], 2013.

The series premiered in the UK on [[September 5]], 2011 on [[Cartoon Network]]'s "[[Action Heroes]]" block. It began airing in Japan on [[April 7]], 2012 on [[TV Aichi]].

A follow-up series called ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' aired from early 2015 to late 2017.

==Story==
[[Team Prime]] lives on [[Earth]], three years after their last confrontation with [[Decepticon]]s. [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot Central Command]] is located in a converted [[missile]] silo in [[Nevada]] provided by the [[United States of America|United States]] government, with Special Agent [[William Fowler]] acting as their liaison. However, the presence of [[Transformer]]s on Earth is not generally known among the civilian population.

When the Decepticons resurface, the Autobots take three teenage witnesses, [[Jack Darby]], [[Miko Nakadai]], and [[Raf Esquivel]] under their protection. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] returns, having discovered [[Dark Energon]], which grants him the power to resurrect the dead, but is injured, with [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] taking command in his absence. After Megatron's revival, Starscream flees after repeatedly showing he is unable to prove his loyalty to the [[Decepticon leader]].

The Autobots and Decepticons eventually make the startling discovery that Earth is in fact the body of [[Unicron]], forcing them to ally and prevent his consciousness from reasserting control over the planet. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] unleashes the [[Matrix of Leadership]], but at the cost of losing his memory, thereby allowing Megatron to manipulate him into joining the Decepticons' ranks. By using information from [[Vector Sigma]] downloaded to the [[Key to Vector Sigma|Key]], Jack restores Optimus's memory.

The Autobots also contend with the human terrorist organization, [[MECH]], headed by former military operative Leland Bishop, aka [[Silas]], who targets the Cybertronians for their technology, capturing [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and Starscream for parts, and building a [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|doppelgänger]] controlled by Silas. In the ensuing confrontation, Silas is fatally injured, forcing MECH to graft him into Breakdown. With this new body, Silas destroys his own organization and attempts to join the Decepticons, only to become [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]'s new dissection study.

The Autobots and Decepticons' struggle becomes a competition for Cybertronian artifacts strewn across the planet, which turn out to have been placed there by [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]], who foresaw the Autobots coming to Earth. Trion also orders them to find the [[Omega Key]]s, which will activate the [[Omega Lock]] and restore Cybertron. Though the keys are successfully gathered, Megatron gains possession of them and attempts to use the Omega Lock to [[cyberforming|cyberform]] Earth, forcing Optimus to destroy the Lock to save Earth.

Megatron responds by destroying the Autobot base, and Optimus is mortally wounded staying behind to ensure everyone else escapes through the [[GroundBridge]]. From his newly erected fortress [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], Megatron reestablishes contact with [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]], learning the scientist has cloned a [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] for the intent of hunting down the Autobots. The Autobots regroup following [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]'s arrival, while [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] restores Optimus with the [[Forge of Solus Prime]].

After destroying Darkmount, the status quo is restored, with the Autobots based at a [[Unit:E]] [[Hangar E|facility]], while the Decepticons retreat to orbit Earth in the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' once more. The Autobots learn of Project Predacon and race the Decepticons for the location of Predacon fossils, to prevent Shockwave from cloning more of the beasts. Ultimately, Megatron manipulates the Autobots into destroying the project when he discovers [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] is intelligent, and therefore a potential power rival. Instead, he turns his attentions to rebuilding the Omega Lock.

After the Decepticons kidnap [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] to help in their plan, the Autobots assault the ''Nemesis'' and capture the ship, killing Megatron before he can use the Omega Lock to cyberform Earth. The Autobots use the Omega Lock to restore Cybertron and settle back on their homeworld. The new peace doesn't last, as Cybertron's revival reawakens the slumbering Unicron, who takes Megatron's lifeless body as his own and seeks to destroy Primus. As Optimus retrieves the [[AllSpark]], Autobots, Decepticons, and Predacons unite under Bumblebee and Predaking to face the Chaos Bringer in defense of their home. Optimus sacrifices himself to seal away Unicron and restore the AllSpark to its rightful place while Megatron disbands the Decepticons and goes into self-imposed exile.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
;Main Cast
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] ([[Frank Welker]]<ref>''Frank Welker records actual words written for Bumblebee which are later replaced with sound effects.'' -- Revealed in "The Autobits Edition" of [[Darkmount, NV|episode 53]].</ref>/[[Will Friedle]])
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] ([[Jeffrey Combs]])
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] ([[Sumalee Montano]])
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] ([[James Horan]])
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] ([[Nolan North]])
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] ([[Michael Ironside]])

;Others
*[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] ([[George Takei]])
*[[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] ([[Dwayne Johnson]]/ [[Billy Brown]]/Frank Welker)
*[[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] ([[Josh Keaton]])

|c2=
;Main Cast
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (Frank Welker)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Blum]])
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (Frank Welker)
**[[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] ([[Daran Norris]])
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] ([[David Sobolov]])
*[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] ([[Gina Torres]])
*[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] ([[Adam Baldwin]])
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] ([[Tony Todd]])

;Others
*[[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] ([[Richard Green]]/Frank Welker)
*[[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] (Kevin Michael Richardson)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (Various)
*[[Decepticon Miner]]s (Kevin Michael Richardson)
*[[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] (Various)
**[[Hardshell]] ([[David Kaye]])
**[[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] (Steve Blum)

|c3=
;Main Cast
*[[Jack Darby]] (Josh Keaton)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] ([[Tania Gunadi]])
*[[Raf Esquivel]] ([[Andy Pessoa]])
*[[William Fowler]] ([[Ernie Hudson]])

;Others
*[[Silas]] ([[Clancy Brown]])
*[[June Darby]] ([[Markie Post]])
*[[Sierra]] ([[Alexandra Krosney]])
*[[Vince]] ([[Brad Raider]])
*[[Bryce|General Bryce]] ([[Robert Forster]])
*[[Vogel]] ([[John DiMaggio]])

|c4=
*[[Unicron]] ([[John Noble]])
*[[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]] (Peter Cullen/Clancy Brown)
*[[Trypticon (WFC)|''Nemesis'']] (Kevin Michael Richardson)
*[[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]] (Frank Welker)
*[[Scraplet]]s
|h5=[[Predacon (Prime)|Predacons]]|c5=
*[[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] ([[Peter Mensah]])
*[[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Skylynx (Prime)|Skylynx]] (Nolan North)
|nonumbering=true}}

==Episodes==
{{see|List of Prime episodes}}
===Season 1===
{{columnlist|3|
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]
#[[Masters & Students]]
#[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]
#[[Con Job]]
#[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]
#[[Deus ex Machina]]
#[[Speed Metal]]
#[[Predatory]]
#[[Sick Mind]]
#[[Out of His Head]]
#[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]
#[[Operation: Breakdown]]
#[[Crisscross (episode)|Crisscross]]
#[[Metal Attraction]]
#[[Rock Bottom]]
#[[Partners (Prime)|Partners]]
#[[T.M.I.]]
#[[Stronger, Faster]]
#[[One Shall Fall]]
#[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]
#[[One Shall Rise, Part 2]]
#[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]
}}

===Season 2===
{{columnlist|3|
#[[Orion Pax, Part 1]]
#[[Orion Pax, Part 2]]
#[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]
#[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]
#[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]
#[[Loose Cannons]]
#[[Crossfire (Prime)|Crossfire]]
#[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]
#[[Grill (episode)|Grill]]{{dag|red}}
#[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]
#[[Flying Mind]]
#[[Tunnel Vision]]
#[[Triangulation]]
#[[Triage (episode)|Triage]]
#[[Toxicity]]
#[[Hurt]]
#[[Out of the Past]]
#[[New Recruit]]
#[[The Human Factor]]
#[[Legacy (episode)|Legacy]]
#[[Alpha/Omega]]
#[[Hard Knocks]]
#[[Inside Job]]
#[[Patch (episode)|Patch]]{{dag|red}}
#[[Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration]]
#[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]
}}

===Season 3: Beast Hunters===
{{columnlist|3|
#[[Darkmount, NV]]
#[[Scattered]]
#[[Prey (episode)|Prey]]
#[[Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion]]
#[[Project Predacon]]
#[[Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command]]
#[[Plus One (Prime)|Plus One]]
#[[Thirst]]
#[[Evolution]]
#[[Minus One]]
#[[Persuasion]]
#[[Synthesis]]
#[[Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock]]
}}

===TV movie===
*''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]''

{{dag|red}} ''[[Clip show]]''

==Production==
[[Image:TFP montage poster.jpg|thumb|GET OFF MY FACE!!!]]
After the [[live-action film series]], screenwriters [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] signed to become show runners with [[Jeff Kline]] and [[Duane Capizzi]] of The Hub's ''Transformers'' cartoon, explaining the TV show would not have the constraints of a two-hour film in delving into the mythology.<ref name="botcon2011">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2011-transformers-prime-panel-172315/ TFW coverage of Hasbro Studios panel at BotCon 2011]</ref> (Orci's employees [[Steven Puri]] and [[Mandy Safavi]] were also credited as producers.)<ref name="castcrewlist">[http://tformers.com/transformers-exclusive-transformers-prime-voice-cast-revealed-which-includes-the-rock/14278/news.html TFormers cast and crew announcement] including Dwayne Johnson exclusive.</ref> The show runners were given the "[[Binder of Revelation]]", a near 400-page [[production bible]] that [[Hasbro]] had been working on since the movies, that combined elements of the most popular [[continuity|continuities]].<ref>[http://collider.com/roberto-orci-jeff-kline-interview-transformers-prime/75039/ Collider transcript]</ref> The show's title was based on the desire to create a master continuity and a literal {{w|Earth Prime|Prime continuity}}.<ref name="botcon2011"/> Whereas the movies were about a [[Sam Witwicky|boy]] and his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|car]], the dynamic between the kids and the robots on the show was meant to be more like ''{{w|The Iron Giant}}''.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Pb3MeUDdY Roundtable interview with ''Prime'' staff at BotCon 2011]</ref>

The writing staff was headed by Capizzi, with [[Marsha Griffin]] as the story editor. The staff consists of [[Nicole Dubuc]], [[Joseph Kuhr]], and [[Steven Melching]]. Kline said they wanted the show to be very cinematic, with tension, suspense, and danger (as marked by Cliffjumper's death in the pilot) as children are more media savvy than they were in the past. Regardless, they had to be considerate as the show still had a broad audience.<ref>[http://parrygamepreserve.com/newsDetail.php?jID=1642 PGP January 2011 Q&A]</ref> As part of the [[aligned continuity family]] with ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'', the producers strove to maintain many of the common elements (e.g. Optimus and Megatron's past friendship, Dark Energon's origins as [[Unicron]]'s blood, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] sharing his film counterpart's backstory), but were allowed contradictions if it served the storytelling. By using the mammoth story bible, the writers could plan events years in advance. The large number of episodes per season meant they could pace and establish characters during season 1 slowly, while saving the more momentous, less stand alone episodes that delved into the backstory for season 2. Some of the plot ideas (namely the [[Terrorcon (Prime)|zombie robots]]) were based on stories they came up with when playing with the [[The Transformers (toyline)|toys]] as kids.<ref name="botcon2011"/> [[Bob Skir]] has written some episodes.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/9248/20/ Allspark.com coverage of Shout and Hasbro's "Evolution of Transformers Animation" panel at 2011's Comic-Con.]</ref>

Designers include [[Christophe Vacher]] (colors), [[Vince Toyama]] and [[Jevon Bue]] (backgrounds), and [[Jose Lopez]] (lead character designer). Vacher wanted to do something different from traditional animation and saw something edgy about ''Prime''.<ref name="botcon2011"/> According to [[Ken Christiansen]], the show's characters were formed by [[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]] hiring freelance conceptual artists like himself. The submitted artwork was given Lopez's staff to be examined, and they incorporated the ideas they liked best.<ref>[http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/me-and-transformers-prime.html August 2010 blog post by Ken Christiansen]</ref> Other concept artists include [[Augusto Barranco]] and [[Walter Gatus]].

Supervising director [[Dave Hartman]] headed a team including [[Todd Waterman]], [[Shaunt Nigoghossian]], [[Vinton Heuck]], and [[Kirk Van Wormer]]. [[Polygon Pictures]] provided the [[computer-generated imagery|CG animation]], for which [[Digitalscape]] performed a recruitment drive for before the show began production.<ref>[http://www.dsp.co.jp/pr/contents/000178.html Announcement on Digitalscape, also asking for job applicants.]</ref> Lopez said the animation would be a "groundbreaking mix of 2D animation and CGI".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/san-diego-comic-con-33/jose-lopez-breaks-the-silence-talks-about-transformers-prime-at-san-diego-comic-con-2010-170217/ Jose Lopez speaks about Prime's animation style]</ref> Each character has three CG models: the robot mode, their alternate mode, and one for the transformation.<ref>[http://www.cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?t=29224 Cybertron.ca January 2011 Q&A]</ref> Lopez said the designs were personality driven, and that the 3D animation allowed them to go "crazy" with the transformation schemes. In contrast, the characters were given realistic textures,<ref>[http://www.asmzine.com/geekly-rewind/2011/02/07/hasbro-transformers-qa-bonus-round-answer/ ASM Geekly Rewind January 2011 Q&A]</ref> and are subject to battle damage during episodes.<ref name="botcon">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/botcon-2010-transformers-prime-panel-coverage-170054/ Botcon 2010 Transformers Prime Panel Coverage]</ref> A show on the level of ''Prime'' would take two years to produce, but the animators only had ten months. Five episodes are animated at a time (hence the monthly gaps during the first season).<ref name="botcon2011"/>

[[Image:Beasthunters-logo1.png|300px|left]]
The staff had three years of story planned, but while writing it became clear that the escalating storylines made it impossible to maintain self-contained episodes and they burned through those planned three years within the second season. The idea of incorporating Beasts into the third season was a late idea.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/10/25/transformers-prime-producer-talks-beasts-mythology-michael-bay/ ‘Transformers: Prime’ producer talks Beasts, mythology, Michael Bay]</ref>

[[Susan Blu]] was the casting director, but was replaced as voice director by [[Jamie Simone]] following a death in her family.<ref>[http://tformers.com/transformers-sdcc-2010-the-hub-transformers-panel-1st-looks-at-prime-designs/13975/news.html Tformers.com's coverage of the SDCC Transformers Prime panel, July 22, 2010.]</ref> [[Brian Tyler]] composed the show's [[theme song]] and background music. [[Matthew Margeson]] served as music arranger. According to an interview with Tyler, the first five episodes of the series were scored "to picture" (i.e. writing music that syncs up to the on-screen action) while the rest made use of a music library containing variations on character, action, and suspense themes.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJrCglN2QMQ Brian Tyler - Transformers Prime HD Composer Interview - Lakeshore Records]</ref>

[[Rik Alvarez]] said in 2015 that ''Prime'' and Hasbro's design team had often clashed on story (the writers wanted more autonomy from the "[[Binder of Revelation]]" and Hasbro wanted a more streamlined franchise), which came to a head on ''Beast Hunters''. The show also went overbudget (each episode cost $1.6 million)<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-robots-disguise-prime-discussion/1053596-aligned-continuity-panel-tf-con-charlotte-5.html#post13037062 Aligned Continuity panel at TF Con Charlotte notes]</ref> and The Hub itself didn't have as many people as planned, dooming the show despite plans for a fourth year.<ref>Rik Alvarez panel, slide show - [http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131367083128/that-explains-a-lot-of-the-mess-that-was See fan photos]</ref><ref name="See fan photos">Rik Alvarez panel, slide show on Beast Hunters - [http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131368170623/and-if-you-were-wondering-why-beast-hunters-was See fan photos]</ref> Dropped plans included a S3 set mostly on Cybertron, with Maximals and Predacons in a 'wild west' set up <ref>[http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131384199723/hey-all-getting-a-lot-of-questions-about-those Fan report of panel]: "Actual Maximals and Predacons were set to appear on a revitalized Cybertron in Season 3 (he described it as a ‘taming the wild west’ setting)."</ref> and an idea for [[Star Seeker|pirates]] in S4.<ref name="See fan photos"/> In turn, this also derailed plans for a massive ''Avengers''-style crossover project for Hasbro properties, launching off the end of ''Prime'' called ''Unit:E'', which began as a [[Unit:E (issue)|one-off comic in 2011]], and had seeds planted in various episodes (implying Agent Fowler worked for [[Unit:E|Unit:E itself]], plus mentioning [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystrikers]] and [[M.A.S.K.]]).

==Reception==
''Transformers: Prime'' has received widespread acclaim, even from outside of the Transformers fandom. Over the course of the show's run-time, it won nine Daytime Emmy Awards,<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=15644 Transformers Prime Nabs 6 of 8 Hasbro Studios Daytime Emmys]</ref><ref>[http://hasbrostudios.com/news/page/title/transformers-prime-honored-with-two-emmy-awards Transformers Prime’ Honored With Two Daytime EMMY® Awards ]</ref><ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2013/05/01/three-early-wins-for-transformers-prime-at-the-2013-daytime-emmy-awards-177383 Three Early Wins For Transformers: Prime At The 2013 Daytime Emmy Awards ]</ref> two CINE Awards,<ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Four-Series-on-The-Hub-TV-Network-Win-2012-CINE-Golden-Eagle-Awards-20120709# Four Series on The Hub TV Network Win 2012 CINE Golden Eagle Awards]</ref> and was nominated for several more, as well as consistently ranking as one of the Hub's most popular programs. Within the fandom, the show quickly won fans over, an impressive feat for the chronological successor to the widely loved ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]''. Qualities particularly celebrated include the cinematography, visuals and animation, voice acting (including the return of [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Frank Welker]] to the roles of Optimus Prime and Megatron, something the actors themselves rejoiced over), and characterization. There is also a great deal of praise given to the serious, more mature storytelling of ''Prime'' that had not been attempted in Transformers media since ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. For all of these reasons, it is usually considered one of the best Transformers cartoons.

That said, the show is not ''universally'' loved, and not just because [[GEEWUN|Bumblebee was better when he could speak]]. In the second season, the show's aforementioned budget problems were the cause of some of the most common complaints: in addition to necessitating ''two'' [[clip show]]s (an all-but-extinct concept in cartoons in the 2010s), the cashflow crisis caused several plot threads to suddenly be dropped or truncated in order to shrink the cast; [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] were abruptly killed or written out (respectively) despite being a feature of active subplots in order to eliminate the cost of their celebrity voice actors, as were characters performed by actors that were not part of the "main" cast, like [[Silas]], [[Hardshell]], and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. Other complaints focused on the lack of buildup or foreshadowing for certain major threats like [[Unicron]] and the Predacons; in the case of the latter, former Hasbro employee [[Rik Alvarez]] confirmed that this was the result of Hasbro staff changes forcefully altering the direction of the show from what was intended.<ref name="tfcon1">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-robots-disguise-prime-discussion/1053596-aligned-continuity-panel-tf-con-charlotte-post13037062.html Notes from the TFCon Charlotte panel] at TFW2005.</ref> Another criticism had been made towards the lack of weight given to character deaths beyond Cliffjumper, usually resulting in anticlimax. A minority also lamented that the expensive animation budgeted the number of character models they could render, and thus led to a relatively small cast and an isolated setting, not unlike ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.

==Awards and nominations==
===2011 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Performer In An Animated Program - [[Peter Cullen]] as [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]
*Outstanding Directing In An Animated Program - [[Dave Hartman|David Hartman]], Supervising Director; [[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]; [[Todd Waterman]]; [[Vinton Heuck]]; [[Susan Blu]], Voice Director
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Vince Toyama]], Background Designer '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Christophe Vacher]], Colour Designer '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction And Composition - [[Brian Tyler]]
*Outstanding Writing In Animation - [[Duane Capizzi]], Writer/Producer; [[Steven Melching]]; [[Nicole Dubuc]]; [[Joseph Kuhr]]; [[Marsha Griffin]]

===2012 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing (Animation) - Robbi Smith, Dialogue Editor, Robert Poole II, Sound Effects Editor, Roy Braverman, Foley Editor
*Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing (Animation) - Ray Leonard, Re-Recording Mixer, Mike Bieriger, Re-Recording Mixer
*Outstanding Special Class Animated Program - [[Roberto Orci]], [[Stephen J. Davis|Stephen Davis]], [[Shuzo Shiota]], [[Alex Kurtzman]], [[Jeff Kline]], [[Duane Capizzi]], [[Mandy Safavi]], [[Rafael Ruthchild]], [[Shinji Santoh]], [[Meiko Sato]], [[Therese Trujillo]] '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program - [[Dave Hartman|David Hartman]], [[Vinton Heuck]], [[Shaunt Nigoghossian]], [[Todd Waterman]], [[Jamie Simone]]
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Christophe Vacher]] '''(WINNER)'''<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-prime-wins-one-daytime-emmy-award-also-nominated-in-four-other-categories/24811/ Hub Press Release for 2012 Daytime Emmy Nominations]</ref>

===2013 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Jason Park]], background design for "Orion Pax, Part 3". '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Arato Kato]], character animation for "Hard Knocks". '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Kirk Van Wormer]], storyboard art for "Nemesis Prime". '''(WINNER)'''

===2014 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Jose Lopez]], Character Design '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Yasuhiro Motoda]], Character Animator '''(WINNER)'''

==Japanese release==
[[Image:Transformers-Prime-Japan-Logo.png|center|300px]]

'''''Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Prime''''' (超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマープライム ''Chō Robot Seimeitai Transformers Prime'') began airing in Japan on [[TV Tokyo]] affiliate [[TV Aichi]], beginning [[April 7]], 2012, with an 8am Saturday morning timeslot (the same channel and timeslot as the previous two ''Transformers'' cartoons to air in Japan). It ended its 52-episode run on [[March 30]], 2013.

To reflect Takara's unique marketing strategy for the toyline—the prominent gimmick of the non-show [[Arms Micron]]s—the series included CGI-animated cartoon shorts starring those little robots, called "[[Arms Micron Theater]]", at the end of every episode. The shorts centered around the Arms Microns maintaining an undercover presence amongst the Autobots, who are not even aware that their weapons are alive.

Another additional segment titled "[[From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division]]", hosted by the popular J-pop idol group, [[Tokyo Girls' Style]], was also tacked onto each episode. These segments featured the idol girls interacting with [[Vector Sigma]] in order to relay important facts about the ''Transformers'' franchise to the audience. These facts usually involved promoting the newest toys and merchandise available as well as offering tutorials on how to transform the toys (much like the [[Otoboto family]] segments from ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'').

Due to the longer [[title sequence]] and end credits, as well as the two additional bonus segments, each episode had approximately three minutes of content removed for time constraints. Many of these edits were to reduce environment pans or establishing shots. However, as the show was reworked to appeal to a younger audience (as all Western ''Transformers'' cartoons are when localized for Japan), the violence during the fight sequences was edited for content.

Like all Japanese dubs of Western ''Transformers'' cartoons, transformation commands were added, such as shouting "Transform!" Additionally, whenever a character popped their weapon out of their hands/arms, they screamed "Arms Up!" Text was overlayed on the screen whenever a character first appeared in each episode, providing their name and function. In addition, promotional text for various ''Transformers''-specific campaigns from TakaraTomy scrolled by over the episode as things were happening, which could be kind of... distracting.

Like the dubs of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', ''Beast Wars Metals'', ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars Returns]]'', and ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'', the localization of ''Prime'' was headed up by [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]]. As is his way, Yoshikazu had the humor ratcheted up considerably. Self-aware, Fourth Wall-breaking jokes were added. An example occurs as early as the end of "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]", when the manipulator arm turns into a spider-like creature and starts crawling around. In the dub, Ratchet thinks he hears the audience telling him to watch his back, but brushes their concerns off as unimportant.

Characters were also fundamentally altered to be more humorously quirky. [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]], for example, was changed into a female parody of {{w|Pepé Le Pew}}; boy-crazy and single-mindedly amorous in her pursuit of [[Jack Darby|Jack]]. As with Yoshikazu's previous efforts, ad-libbing was utilized extensively to soften tension and suspense; the characters talk ''a lot''.

On [[August 12]], 2012, TV Tokyo aired the "[[Transformers Prime Perfect Transformation Late Night 2-Hour Special]]" hosted by [[Chisato Mori]], [[Nozomi Furuki]] and [[Yūki Tai]]. The special featured a recap of "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]" thru "[[Rock Bottom]]", brand new "From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division" and "Arms Micron Theater" segments, various cast interviews and commentary, and a special comparison between the original English language version of "[[Predatory]]" and the radically different Japanese language version.<ref>[http://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/toy/event/2012/tv-tokyo/ Official TakaraTomy ad site for the TV special]</ref>

The Japanese version of ''Prime'' only ran for 52 episodes (the first two seasons of the original English language version). "[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]" was edited and reworked to function as a series finale. This mainly involved rescripting the ending and cutting the cliffhanger so as to give the show a more ambiguously positive send off; Optimus Prime valiantly holding the line as Megatron looms over him in the Nemesis. The ''Beast Hunters'' era of the ''Prime'' franchise was rebranded by TakaraTomy as a new franchise, '''''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (franchise)|Triple Combination: Transformers Go!]]'''''. While the ''Beast Hunters'' toys were marketed and sold in Japan, it is unlikely that the remaining 13 episodes of ''Prime'' and the ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]'' film will ever be released in Japan.

The [[theme song]]s are:
*OP 1: "[[FEELING]]" by [[BIGBANG]]
*ED 1: "[[I Believe in All]]" by [[CLUTCHO]]
*OP 2: "[[TRANSFORMERZ]]" by [[m-flo]]
*ED 2: "[[A Little Bit]]" by [[CLUTCHO]]
*OP 3: "TRANSFORMERZ (version 2.0)" by [[m-flo]] feat. Ken Oshima
*ED 3: "[[Discord (song)|Discord]]" by [[Tokyo Girls' Style]]

==Home video releases==
{{main|Transformers: Prime (cartoon)/home video}}
;United States
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Darkness Rising (2011)<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Transformers-Prime-Darkness-Rising/15916 Press release: Transformers Prime - 'Darkness Rising', the Newest Program's Original 5-Part Mini-Series, Announced!]</ref>
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Hub promotional DVD [Walmart Exclusive] Includes 3 episodes (2011)<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/special-transformers-prime-dvd-released-at-walmart-173588/ Transformers Prime DVD released at Walmart]</ref>
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season One (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - One Shall Stand (2012)<ref>http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Prime-One-Shall-Stand/dp/B007RMQ4H2</ref>
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season Two (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Dawn of the Beast [Target Exclusive] (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Predacons Rising (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season Three (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Ultimate Bumblebee (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Ultimate Autobots (2014)

;Germany
*''Transformers: Prime'' #1 - Die dunkle Macht erhebt sich (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #2 - Meister und Schüler (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #3 - Nur dieses eine Mal (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #4 - Die vierte Dimension (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #5 - Metallische Anziehung (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #6 - Die Prophezeiung (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' Staffel 1 (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #7 - Orion Pax (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #8 - Der falsche Prime (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #9 - Angriff auf Megatron (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #10 - Bulkheads Mission (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #11 - Die Omega-Schlüssel (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #12 - Die Entscheidung (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters'' - Schlacht um Darkmount (2015)

;Australia
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 1: Darkness Rising (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 2: Unfamiliar Enemies (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 3: Alien Threat (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 4: Strength in Numbers (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 5: One Shall Fall, One Shall Rise (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season 2, Volume 1: Orion Pax (2013) <ref>http://www.madman.com.au/series/home/17523</ref>

;France
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 1, Volume 1 - Le retour des Decepticons (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 1, Volume 2 - Terrain miné (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 1, Volume 3 - L'attaque des Decepticons (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 1, Volume 4 - Une alliance inattendue (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 1, Volume 5 - Un seul vaincra (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 2, Volume 1 - Orion Pax (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 2, Volume 2 - Nemesis Prime (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 2, Volume 3 - La course aux reliques (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 2, Volume 4 - Bataille épique (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters'' - Saison 3, Volume 1 - Le règne de Megatron (2015)
*''Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters'' - Saison 3, Volume 2 - L'ultime affrontement (2015)
*''Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters'' - Predacons Rising (2015)

*''Transformers: Prime'' - Intégrale Saison 1 (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Intégrale Saison 2 (2015)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Intégrale Saison 3, inclus le film "Predacons Rising" (2015)

==Soundtrack==
{{main|Transformers Prime: Music from the Animated Series}}

==Notes==
*Unlike most ''Transformers'' shows, episodes do not have an episode title card. Episode titles are from [[Hub Network|The Hub]] website.
*The series has also been advertised as '''''Transformers: Prime - The Animated Series'''''.
*The show was said to be "rightfully huge" at the [[BotCon 2010]] panel.<ref name="tformersbotcon10">[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=13779 BotCon 2010 - Hasbro Studios Panel - Bucket Head is Back!]</ref> Later, at the Hasbro designers' panel, the [[Thirteen|Thirteen original Transformers]] were described as being "rightfully huge".<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=13797 BotCon 2010 Hasbro designers' panel.]</ref>
*Executive Producer [[Jeff Kline]] confirmed they talked about producing a theatrical ''Prime'' film.<ref>[http://tformers.com/transformers-botcon-2011-transformers-prime-interview-with-executive-producer-jeff-kline/15863/news.html TFormers BotCon 2011 interview with Kline]</ref>
*The ''Prime'' show was originally intended to kickstart "[[Unit:E]]", a massive shared universe involving several largely-forgotten Hasbro properties. These included ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[M.A.S.K.]]'', ''[[Inhumanoids]]'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''Candyland''(!), which would later unite in an ''Avengers''-style crossover.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-robots-disguise-prime-discussion/1053596-aligned-continuity-panel-tf-con-charlotte-4.html#post13037062 TF2005.com] "More tidbits from a friend of mine who took notes at the panel: ... TFP was going to lead into a massive Avengers style Unit: E crossover to jumpstart the other brands participating. Ratchet and Fowler from TFP; Duke from GI Joe; Synergy from Jem and the Holograms; Princess Lollipop from Candyland; also characters from MASK, Stretch Armstrong, Micronauts, Sectaurs, Primordia (the renamed Inhumanoids) and more."</ref> For one reason or another, this idea didn't pan out, so we'll forever be denied the sight of Optimus Prime battling against the nefarious Lord Licorice, although [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] would pick up the idea again several years later with ''[[Revolution]]''.

===Foreign names===
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Lǐngxiù zhī Zhèng''''' (China, 变形金刚：领袖之证, "Transformers: Proof of Leader", Season 1 & 2), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Shòu Mó zhī Zhàn''''' (China, 变形金刚：狩魔之战, "Transformers: War of Demon Hunting", Season 3, ''Beast Hunters'')
*''Turkish:'' '''''Transformers: Prime''''' (Same name translation of original name), '''''Transformers: Prime: Canavar Avcıları''''' ("Transformers: Prime: Beast Hunters")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvMHCfwLXJRZGsGopibi04rx4ilDTc_1p Complete ''Transformers: Prime'' playlist on YouTube]
*[http://www.hubnetwork.com/shows/transformers-prime Hub Network page]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3iKDbKQwKI Behind the scenes video]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prime (cartoon)}}
[[Category:Prime media]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Transformers: Prime (cartoon)

2024-09-15T16:34:54Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Production */ Further information on the score / recording sessions.

{{Nav-Prime}}

[[Image:TransformersPrimePremierePoster.jpg|thumb|300px|We finally have toys... we think.]]
'''''Transformers: Prime''''' is a multiple Daytime Emmy Award-winning [[computer-generated imagery|computer-animated]] television series that premiered on [[Hub Network|The Hub]] on [[November 26]], [[2010]] with a five-part mini-series, which was followed by a season of another 21 episodes beginning on [[February 11]], [[2011]]. Season 2 began screening [[February 18]], [[2012]], and a third season of thirteen episodes with the subtitle ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)#Season 3: Beast Hunters|Beast Hunters]]'' began screening on [[March 22]], [[2013]]. ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]'', a TV movie, concluded the show on [[October 4]], 2013.

The Canadian broadcast of the series has been undertaken by Corus Entertainment, and the show aired on Teletoon from [[January 9]], 2011 to [[August 16]], 2013, with the TV movie Predacons Rising premiering on [[November 15]], 2013.

The series premiered in the UK on [[September 5]], 2011 on [[Cartoon Network]]'s "[[Action Heroes]]" block. It began airing in Japan on [[April 7]], 2012 on [[TV Aichi]].

A follow-up series called ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' aired from early 2015 to late 2017.

==Story==
[[Team Prime]] lives on [[Earth]], three years after their last confrontation with [[Decepticon]]s. [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot Central Command]] is located in a converted [[missile]] silo in [[Nevada]] provided by the [[United States of America|United States]] government, with Special Agent [[William Fowler]] acting as their liaison. However, the presence of [[Transformer]]s on Earth is not generally known among the civilian population.

When the Decepticons resurface, the Autobots take three teenage witnesses, [[Jack Darby]], [[Miko Nakadai]], and [[Raf Esquivel]] under their protection. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] returns, having discovered [[Dark Energon]], which grants him the power to resurrect the dead, but is injured, with [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] taking command in his absence. After Megatron's revival, Starscream flees after repeatedly showing he is unable to prove his loyalty to the [[Decepticon leader]].

The Autobots and Decepticons eventually make the startling discovery that Earth is in fact the body of [[Unicron]], forcing them to ally and prevent his consciousness from reasserting control over the planet. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] unleashes the [[Matrix of Leadership]], but at the cost of losing his memory, thereby allowing Megatron to manipulate him into joining the Decepticons' ranks. By using information from [[Vector Sigma]] downloaded to the [[Key to Vector Sigma|Key]], Jack restores Optimus's memory.

The Autobots also contend with the human terrorist organization, [[MECH]], headed by former military operative Leland Bishop, aka [[Silas]], who targets the Cybertronians for their technology, capturing [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and Starscream for parts, and building a [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|doppelgänger]] controlled by Silas. In the ensuing confrontation, Silas is fatally injured, forcing MECH to graft him into Breakdown. With this new body, Silas destroys his own organization and attempts to join the Decepticons, only to become [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]'s new dissection study.

The Autobots and Decepticons' struggle becomes a competition for Cybertronian artifacts strewn across the planet, which turn out to have been placed there by [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]], who foresaw the Autobots coming to Earth. Trion also orders them to find the [[Omega Key]]s, which will activate the [[Omega Lock]] and restore Cybertron. Though the keys are successfully gathered, Megatron gains possession of them and attempts to use the Omega Lock to [[cyberforming|cyberform]] Earth, forcing Optimus to destroy the Lock to save Earth.

Megatron responds by destroying the Autobot base, and Optimus is mortally wounded staying behind to ensure everyone else escapes through the [[GroundBridge]]. From his newly erected fortress [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], Megatron reestablishes contact with [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]], learning the scientist has cloned a [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] for the intent of hunting down the Autobots. The Autobots regroup following [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]'s arrival, while [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] restores Optimus with the [[Forge of Solus Prime]].

After destroying Darkmount, the status quo is restored, with the Autobots based at a [[Unit:E]] [[Hangar E|facility]], while the Decepticons retreat to orbit Earth in the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' once more. The Autobots learn of Project Predacon and race the Decepticons for the location of Predacon fossils, to prevent Shockwave from cloning more of the beasts. Ultimately, Megatron manipulates the Autobots into destroying the project when he discovers [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] is intelligent, and therefore a potential power rival. Instead, he turns his attentions to rebuilding the Omega Lock.

After the Decepticons kidnap [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] to help in their plan, the Autobots assault the ''Nemesis'' and capture the ship, killing Megatron before he can use the Omega Lock to cyberform Earth. The Autobots use the Omega Lock to restore Cybertron and settle back on their homeworld. The new peace doesn't last, as Cybertron's revival reawakens the slumbering Unicron, who takes Megatron's lifeless body as his own and seeks to destroy Primus. As Optimus retrieves the [[AllSpark]], Autobots, Decepticons, and Predacons unite under Bumblebee and Predaking to face the Chaos Bringer in defense of their home. Optimus sacrifices himself to seal away Unicron and restore the AllSpark to its rightful place while Megatron disbands the Decepticons and goes into self-imposed exile.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
;Main Cast
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] ([[Frank Welker]]<ref>''Frank Welker records actual words written for Bumblebee which are later replaced with sound effects.'' -- Revealed in "The Autobits Edition" of [[Darkmount, NV|episode 53]].</ref>/[[Will Friedle]])
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] ([[Jeffrey Combs]])
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] ([[Sumalee Montano]])
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] ([[James Horan]])
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] ([[Nolan North]])
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] ([[Michael Ironside]])

;Others
*[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] ([[George Takei]])
*[[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] ([[Dwayne Johnson]]/ [[Billy Brown]]/Frank Welker)
*[[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] ([[Josh Keaton]])

|c2=
;Main Cast
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (Frank Welker)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Blum]])
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (Frank Welker)
**[[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] ([[Daran Norris]])
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] ([[David Sobolov]])
*[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] ([[Gina Torres]])
*[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] ([[Adam Baldwin]])
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] ([[Tony Todd]])

;Others
*[[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] ([[Richard Green]]/Frank Welker)
*[[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] (Kevin Michael Richardson)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (Various)
*[[Decepticon Miner]]s (Kevin Michael Richardson)
*[[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] (Various)
**[[Hardshell]] ([[David Kaye]])
**[[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] (Steve Blum)

|c3=
;Main Cast
*[[Jack Darby]] (Josh Keaton)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] ([[Tania Gunadi]])
*[[Raf Esquivel]] ([[Andy Pessoa]])
*[[William Fowler]] ([[Ernie Hudson]])

;Others
*[[Silas]] ([[Clancy Brown]])
*[[June Darby]] ([[Markie Post]])
*[[Sierra]] ([[Alexandra Krosney]])
*[[Vince]] ([[Brad Raider]])
*[[Bryce|General Bryce]] ([[Robert Forster]])
*[[Vogel]] ([[John DiMaggio]])

|c4=
*[[Unicron]] ([[John Noble]])
*[[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]] (Peter Cullen/Clancy Brown)
*[[Trypticon (WFC)|''Nemesis'']] (Kevin Michael Richardson)
*[[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]] (Frank Welker)
*[[Scraplet]]s
|h5=[[Predacon (Prime)|Predacons]]|c5=
*[[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] ([[Peter Mensah]])
*[[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Skylynx (Prime)|Skylynx]] (Nolan North)
|nonumbering=true}}

==Episodes==
{{see|List of Prime episodes}}
===Season 1===
{{columnlist|3|
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]
#[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]
#[[Masters & Students]]
#[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]
#[[Con Job]]
#[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]
#[[Deus ex Machina]]
#[[Speed Metal]]
#[[Predatory]]
#[[Sick Mind]]
#[[Out of His Head]]
#[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]
#[[Operation: Breakdown]]
#[[Crisscross (episode)|Crisscross]]
#[[Metal Attraction]]
#[[Rock Bottom]]
#[[Partners (Prime)|Partners]]
#[[T.M.I.]]
#[[Stronger, Faster]]
#[[One Shall Fall]]
#[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]
#[[One Shall Rise, Part 2]]
#[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]
}}

===Season 2===
{{columnlist|3|
#[[Orion Pax, Part 1]]
#[[Orion Pax, Part 2]]
#[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]
#[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]
#[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]
#[[Loose Cannons]]
#[[Crossfire (Prime)|Crossfire]]
#[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]
#[[Grill (episode)|Grill]]{{dag|red}}
#[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]
#[[Flying Mind]]
#[[Tunnel Vision]]
#[[Triangulation]]
#[[Triage (episode)|Triage]]
#[[Toxicity]]
#[[Hurt]]
#[[Out of the Past]]
#[[New Recruit]]
#[[The Human Factor]]
#[[Legacy (episode)|Legacy]]
#[[Alpha/Omega]]
#[[Hard Knocks]]
#[[Inside Job]]
#[[Patch (episode)|Patch]]{{dag|red}}
#[[Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration]]
#[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]
}}

===Season 3: Beast Hunters===
{{columnlist|3|
#[[Darkmount, NV]]
#[[Scattered]]
#[[Prey (episode)|Prey]]
#[[Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion]]
#[[Project Predacon]]
#[[Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command]]
#[[Plus One (Prime)|Plus One]]
#[[Thirst]]
#[[Evolution]]
#[[Minus One]]
#[[Persuasion]]
#[[Synthesis]]
#[[Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock]]
}}

===TV movie===
*''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]''

{{dag|red}} ''[[Clip show]]''

==Production==
[[Image:TFP montage poster.jpg|thumb|GET OFF MY FACE!!!]]
After the [[live-action film series]], screenwriters [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] signed to become show runners with [[Jeff Kline]] and [[Duane Capizzi]] of The Hub's ''Transformers'' cartoon, explaining the TV show would not have the constraints of a two-hour film in delving into the mythology.<ref name="botcon2011">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2011-transformers-prime-panel-172315/ TFW coverage of Hasbro Studios panel at BotCon 2011]</ref> (Orci's employees [[Steven Puri]] and [[Mandy Safavi]] were also credited as producers.)<ref name="castcrewlist">[http://tformers.com/transformers-exclusive-transformers-prime-voice-cast-revealed-which-includes-the-rock/14278/news.html TFormers cast and crew announcement] including Dwayne Johnson exclusive.</ref> The show runners were given the "[[Binder of Revelation]]", a near 400-page [[production bible]] that [[Hasbro]] had been working on since the movies, that combined elements of the most popular [[continuity|continuities]].<ref>[http://collider.com/roberto-orci-jeff-kline-interview-transformers-prime/75039/ Collider transcript]</ref> The show's title was based on the desire to create a master continuity and a literal {{w|Earth Prime|Prime continuity}}.<ref name="botcon2011"/> Whereas the movies were about a [[Sam Witwicky|boy]] and his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|car]], the dynamic between the kids and the robots on the show was meant to be more like ''{{w|The Iron Giant}}''.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Pb3MeUDdY Roundtable interview with ''Prime'' staff at BotCon 2011]</ref>

The writing staff was headed by Capizzi, with [[Marsha Griffin]] as the story editor. The staff consists of [[Nicole Dubuc]], [[Joseph Kuhr]], and [[Steven Melching]]. Kline said they wanted the show to be very cinematic, with tension, suspense, and danger (as marked by Cliffjumper's death in the pilot) as children are more media savvy than they were in the past. Regardless, they had to be considerate as the show still had a broad audience.<ref>[http://parrygamepreserve.com/newsDetail.php?jID=1642 PGP January 2011 Q&A]</ref> As part of the [[aligned continuity family]] with ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'', the producers strove to maintain many of the common elements (e.g. Optimus and Megatron's past friendship, Dark Energon's origins as [[Unicron]]'s blood, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] sharing his film counterpart's backstory), but were allowed contradictions if it served the storytelling. By using the mammoth story bible, the writers could plan events years in advance. The large number of episodes per season meant they could pace and establish characters during season 1 slowly, while saving the more momentous, less stand alone episodes that delved into the backstory for season 2. Some of the plot ideas (namely the [[Terrorcon (Prime)|zombie robots]]) were based on stories they came up with when playing with the [[The Transformers (toyline)|toys]] as kids.<ref name="botcon2011"/> [[Bob Skir]] has written some episodes.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/9248/20/ Allspark.com coverage of Shout and Hasbro's "Evolution of Transformers Animation" panel at 2011's Comic-Con.]</ref>

Designers include [[Christophe Vacher]] (colors), [[Vince Toyama]] and [[Jevon Bue]] (backgrounds), and [[Jose Lopez]] (lead character designer). Vacher wanted to do something different from traditional animation and saw something edgy about ''Prime''.<ref name="botcon2011"/> According to [[Ken Christiansen]], the show's characters were formed by [[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]] hiring freelance conceptual artists like himself. The submitted artwork was given Lopez's staff to be examined, and they incorporated the ideas they liked best.<ref>[http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/me-and-transformers-prime.html August 2010 blog post by Ken Christiansen]</ref> Other concept artists include [[Augusto Barranco]] and [[Walter Gatus]].

Supervising director [[Dave Hartman]] headed a team including [[Todd Waterman]], [[Shaunt Nigoghossian]], [[Vinton Heuck]], and [[Kirk Van Wormer]]. [[Polygon Pictures]] provided the [[computer-generated imagery|CG animation]], for which [[Digitalscape]] performed a recruitment drive for before the show began production.<ref>[http://www.dsp.co.jp/pr/contents/000178.html Announcement on Digitalscape, also asking for job applicants.]</ref> Lopez said the animation would be a "groundbreaking mix of 2D animation and CGI".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/san-diego-comic-con-33/jose-lopez-breaks-the-silence-talks-about-transformers-prime-at-san-diego-comic-con-2010-170217/ Jose Lopez speaks about Prime's animation style]</ref> Each character has three CG models: the robot mode, their alternate mode, and one for the transformation.<ref>[http://www.cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?t=29224 Cybertron.ca January 2011 Q&A]</ref> Lopez said the designs were personality driven, and that the 3D animation allowed them to go "crazy" with the transformation schemes. In contrast, the characters were given realistic textures,<ref>[http://www.asmzine.com/geekly-rewind/2011/02/07/hasbro-transformers-qa-bonus-round-answer/ ASM Geekly Rewind January 2011 Q&A]</ref> and are subject to battle damage during episodes.<ref name="botcon">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/botcon-2010-transformers-prime-panel-coverage-170054/ Botcon 2010 Transformers Prime Panel Coverage]</ref> A show on the level of ''Prime'' would take two years to produce, but the animators only had ten months. Five episodes are animated at a time (hence the monthly gaps during the first season).<ref name="botcon2011"/>

[[Image:Beasthunters-logo1.png|300px|left]]
The staff had three years of story planned, but while writing it became clear that the escalating storylines made it impossible to maintain self-contained episodes and they burned through those planned three years within the second season. The idea of incorporating Beasts into the third season was a late idea.<ref>[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/10/25/transformers-prime-producer-talks-beasts-mythology-michael-bay/ ‘Transformers: Prime’ producer talks Beasts, mythology, Michael Bay]</ref>

[[Susan Blu]] was the casting director, but was replaced as voice director by [[Jamie Simone]] following a death in her family.<ref>[http://tformers.com/transformers-sdcc-2010-the-hub-transformers-panel-1st-looks-at-prime-designs/13975/news.html Tformers.com's coverage of the SDCC Transformers Prime panel, July 22, 2010.]</ref> [[Brian Tyler]] composed the show's [[theme song]] and background music. [[Matthew Margeson]] served as music arranger. According to an interview with Tyler, the first five episodes of the series were scored "to picture" (i.e. writing music that syncs up to the on-screen action) while the rest made use of a music library containing variations on character, action, and suspense themes.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJrCglN2QMQ Brian Tyler - Transformers Prime HD Composer Interview - Lakeshore Records]

[[Rik Alvarez]] said in 2015 that ''Prime'' and Hasbro's design team had often clashed on story (the writers wanted more autonomy from the "[[Binder of Revelation]]" and Hasbro wanted a more streamlined franchise), which came to a head on ''Beast Hunters''. The show also went overbudget (each episode cost $1.6 million)<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-robots-disguise-prime-discussion/1053596-aligned-continuity-panel-tf-con-charlotte-5.html#post13037062 Aligned Continuity panel at TF Con Charlotte notes]</ref> and The Hub itself didn't have as many people as planned, dooming the show despite plans for a fourth year.<ref>Rik Alvarez panel, slide show - [http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131367083128/that-explains-a-lot-of-the-mess-that-was See fan photos]</ref><ref name="See fan photos">Rik Alvarez panel, slide show on Beast Hunters - [http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131368170623/and-if-you-were-wondering-why-beast-hunters-was See fan photos]</ref> Dropped plans included a S3 set mostly on Cybertron, with Maximals and Predacons in a 'wild west' set up <ref>[http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131384199723/hey-all-getting-a-lot-of-questions-about-those Fan report of panel]: "Actual Maximals and Predacons were set to appear on a revitalized Cybertron in Season 3 (he described it as a ‘taming the wild west’ setting)."</ref> and an idea for [[Star Seeker|pirates]] in S4.<ref name="See fan photos"/> In turn, this also derailed plans for a massive ''Avengers''-style crossover project for Hasbro properties, launching off the end of ''Prime'' called ''Unit:E'', which began as a [[Unit:E (issue)|one-off comic in 2011]], and had seeds planted in various episodes (implying Agent Fowler worked for [[Unit:E|Unit:E itself]], plus mentioning [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystrikers]] and [[M.A.S.K.]]).

==Reception==
''Transformers: Prime'' has received widespread acclaim, even from outside of the Transformers fandom. Over the course of the show's run-time, it won nine Daytime Emmy Awards,<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=15644 Transformers Prime Nabs 6 of 8 Hasbro Studios Daytime Emmys]</ref><ref>[http://hasbrostudios.com/news/page/title/transformers-prime-honored-with-two-emmy-awards Transformers Prime’ Honored With Two Daytime EMMY® Awards ]</ref><ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2013/05/01/three-early-wins-for-transformers-prime-at-the-2013-daytime-emmy-awards-177383 Three Early Wins For Transformers: Prime At The 2013 Daytime Emmy Awards ]</ref> two CINE Awards,<ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Four-Series-on-The-Hub-TV-Network-Win-2012-CINE-Golden-Eagle-Awards-20120709# Four Series on The Hub TV Network Win 2012 CINE Golden Eagle Awards]</ref> and was nominated for several more, as well as consistently ranking as one of the Hub's most popular programs. Within the fandom, the show quickly won fans over, an impressive feat for the chronological successor to the widely loved ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]''. Qualities particularly celebrated include the cinematography, visuals and animation, voice acting (including the return of [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Frank Welker]] to the roles of Optimus Prime and Megatron, something the actors themselves rejoiced over), and characterization. There is also a great deal of praise given to the serious, more mature storytelling of ''Prime'' that had not been attempted in Transformers media since ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. For all of these reasons, it is usually considered one of the best Transformers cartoons.

That said, the show is not ''universally'' loved, and not just because [[GEEWUN|Bumblebee was better when he could speak]]. In the second season, the show's aforementioned budget problems were the cause of some of the most common complaints: in addition to necessitating ''two'' [[clip show]]s (an all-but-extinct concept in cartoons in the 2010s), the cashflow crisis caused several plot threads to suddenly be dropped or truncated in order to shrink the cast; [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] were abruptly killed or written out (respectively) despite being a feature of active subplots in order to eliminate the cost of their celebrity voice actors, as were characters performed by actors that were not part of the "main" cast, like [[Silas]], [[Hardshell]], and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. Other complaints focused on the lack of buildup or foreshadowing for certain major threats like [[Unicron]] and the Predacons; in the case of the latter, former Hasbro employee [[Rik Alvarez]] confirmed that this was the result of Hasbro staff changes forcefully altering the direction of the show from what was intended.<ref name="tfcon1">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-robots-disguise-prime-discussion/1053596-aligned-continuity-panel-tf-con-charlotte-post13037062.html Notes from the TFCon Charlotte panel] at TFW2005.</ref> Another criticism had been made towards the lack of weight given to character deaths beyond Cliffjumper, usually resulting in anticlimax. A minority also lamented that the expensive animation budgeted the number of character models they could render, and thus led to a relatively small cast and an isolated setting, not unlike ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.

==Awards and nominations==
===2011 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Performer In An Animated Program - [[Peter Cullen]] as [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]
*Outstanding Directing In An Animated Program - [[Dave Hartman|David Hartman]], Supervising Director; [[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]; [[Todd Waterman]]; [[Vinton Heuck]]; [[Susan Blu]], Voice Director
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Vince Toyama]], Background Designer '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Christophe Vacher]], Colour Designer '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction And Composition - [[Brian Tyler]]
*Outstanding Writing In Animation - [[Duane Capizzi]], Writer/Producer; [[Steven Melching]]; [[Nicole Dubuc]]; [[Joseph Kuhr]]; [[Marsha Griffin]]

===2012 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing (Animation) - Robbi Smith, Dialogue Editor, Robert Poole II, Sound Effects Editor, Roy Braverman, Foley Editor
*Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing (Animation) - Ray Leonard, Re-Recording Mixer, Mike Bieriger, Re-Recording Mixer
*Outstanding Special Class Animated Program - [[Roberto Orci]], [[Stephen J. Davis|Stephen Davis]], [[Shuzo Shiota]], [[Alex Kurtzman]], [[Jeff Kline]], [[Duane Capizzi]], [[Mandy Safavi]], [[Rafael Ruthchild]], [[Shinji Santoh]], [[Meiko Sato]], [[Therese Trujillo]] '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program - [[Dave Hartman|David Hartman]], [[Vinton Heuck]], [[Shaunt Nigoghossian]], [[Todd Waterman]], [[Jamie Simone]]
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Christophe Vacher]] '''(WINNER)'''<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-prime-wins-one-daytime-emmy-award-also-nominated-in-four-other-categories/24811/ Hub Press Release for 2012 Daytime Emmy Nominations]</ref>

===2013 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Jason Park]], background design for "Orion Pax, Part 3". '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Arato Kato]], character animation for "Hard Knocks". '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Kirk Van Wormer]], storyboard art for "Nemesis Prime". '''(WINNER)'''

===2014 Daytime Emmy Awards===
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Jose Lopez]], Character Design '''(WINNER)'''
*Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - [[Yasuhiro Motoda]], Character Animator '''(WINNER)'''

==Japanese release==
[[Image:Transformers-Prime-Japan-Logo.png|center|300px]]

'''''Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Prime''''' (超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマープライム ''Chō Robot Seimeitai Transformers Prime'') began airing in Japan on [[TV Tokyo]] affiliate [[TV Aichi]], beginning [[April 7]], 2012, with an 8am Saturday morning timeslot (the same channel and timeslot as the previous two ''Transformers'' cartoons to air in Japan). It ended its 52-episode run on [[March 30]], 2013.

To reflect Takara's unique marketing strategy for the toyline—the prominent gimmick of the non-show [[Arms Micron]]s—the series included CGI-animated cartoon shorts starring those little robots, called "[[Arms Micron Theater]]", at the end of every episode. The shorts centered around the Arms Microns maintaining an undercover presence amongst the Autobots, who are not even aware that their weapons are alive.

Another additional segment titled "[[From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division]]", hosted by the popular J-pop idol group, [[Tokyo Girls' Style]], was also tacked onto each episode. These segments featured the idol girls interacting with [[Vector Sigma]] in order to relay important facts about the ''Transformers'' franchise to the audience. These facts usually involved promoting the newest toys and merchandise available as well as offering tutorials on how to transform the toys (much like the [[Otoboto family]] segments from ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'').

Due to the longer [[title sequence]] and end credits, as well as the two additional bonus segments, each episode had approximately three minutes of content removed for time constraints. Many of these edits were to reduce environment pans or establishing shots. However, as the show was reworked to appeal to a younger audience (as all Western ''Transformers'' cartoons are when localized for Japan), the violence during the fight sequences was edited for content.

Like all Japanese dubs of Western ''Transformers'' cartoons, transformation commands were added, such as shouting "Transform!" Additionally, whenever a character popped their weapon out of their hands/arms, they screamed "Arms Up!" Text was overlayed on the screen whenever a character first appeared in each episode, providing their name and function. In addition, promotional text for various ''Transformers''-specific campaigns from TakaraTomy scrolled by over the episode as things were happening, which could be kind of... distracting.

Like the dubs of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', ''Beast Wars Metals'', ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars Returns]]'', and ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'', the localization of ''Prime'' was headed up by [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]]. As is his way, Yoshikazu had the humor ratcheted up considerably. Self-aware, Fourth Wall-breaking jokes were added. An example occurs as early as the end of "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]", when the manipulator arm turns into a spider-like creature and starts crawling around. In the dub, Ratchet thinks he hears the audience telling him to watch his back, but brushes their concerns off as unimportant.

Characters were also fundamentally altered to be more humorously quirky. [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]], for example, was changed into a female parody of {{w|Pepé Le Pew}}; boy-crazy and single-mindedly amorous in her pursuit of [[Jack Darby|Jack]]. As with Yoshikazu's previous efforts, ad-libbing was utilized extensively to soften tension and suspense; the characters talk ''a lot''.

On [[August 12]], 2012, TV Tokyo aired the "[[Transformers Prime Perfect Transformation Late Night 2-Hour Special]]" hosted by [[Chisato Mori]], [[Nozomi Furuki]] and [[Yūki Tai]]. The special featured a recap of "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]" thru "[[Rock Bottom]]", brand new "From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division" and "Arms Micron Theater" segments, various cast interviews and commentary, and a special comparison between the original English language version of "[[Predatory]]" and the radically different Japanese language version.<ref>[http://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/toy/event/2012/tv-tokyo/ Official TakaraTomy ad site for the TV special]</ref>

The Japanese version of ''Prime'' only ran for 52 episodes (the first two seasons of the original English language version). "[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]" was edited and reworked to function as a series finale. This mainly involved rescripting the ending and cutting the cliffhanger so as to give the show a more ambiguously positive send off; Optimus Prime valiantly holding the line as Megatron looms over him in the Nemesis. The ''Beast Hunters'' era of the ''Prime'' franchise was rebranded by TakaraTomy as a new franchise, '''''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (franchise)|Triple Combination: Transformers Go!]]'''''. While the ''Beast Hunters'' toys were marketed and sold in Japan, it is unlikely that the remaining 13 episodes of ''Prime'' and the ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]'' film will ever be released in Japan.

The [[theme song]]s are:
*OP 1: "[[FEELING]]" by [[BIGBANG]]
*ED 1: "[[I Believe in All]]" by [[CLUTCHO]]
*OP 2: "[[TRANSFORMERZ]]" by [[m-flo]]
*ED 2: "[[A Little Bit]]" by [[CLUTCHO]]
*OP 3: "TRANSFORMERZ (version 2.0)" by [[m-flo]] feat. Ken Oshima
*ED 3: "[[Discord (song)|Discord]]" by [[Tokyo Girls' Style]]

==Home video releases==
{{main|Transformers: Prime (cartoon)/home video}}
;United States
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Darkness Rising (2011)<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Transformers-Prime-Darkness-Rising/15916 Press release: Transformers Prime - 'Darkness Rising', the Newest Program's Original 5-Part Mini-Series, Announced!]</ref>
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Hub promotional DVD [Walmart Exclusive] Includes 3 episodes (2011)<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/special-transformers-prime-dvd-released-at-walmart-173588/ Transformers Prime DVD released at Walmart]</ref>
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season One (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - One Shall Stand (2012)<ref>http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Prime-One-Shall-Stand/dp/B007RMQ4H2</ref>
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season Two (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Dawn of the Beast [Target Exclusive] (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Predacons Rising (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season Three (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Ultimate Bumblebee (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Ultimate Autobots (2014)

;Germany
*''Transformers: Prime'' #1 - Die dunkle Macht erhebt sich (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #2 - Meister und Schüler (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #3 - Nur dieses eine Mal (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #4 - Die vierte Dimension (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #5 - Metallische Anziehung (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #6 - Die Prophezeiung (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' Staffel 1 (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #7 - Orion Pax (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #8 - Der falsche Prime (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #9 - Angriff auf Megatron (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #10 - Bulkheads Mission (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #11 - Die Omega-Schlüssel (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' #12 - Die Entscheidung (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters'' - Schlacht um Darkmount (2015)

;Australia
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 1: Darkness Rising (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 2: Unfamiliar Enemies (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 3: Alien Threat (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 4: Strength in Numbers (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Volume 5: One Shall Fall, One Shall Rise (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Season 2, Volume 1: Orion Pax (2013) <ref>http://www.madman.com.au/series/home/17523</ref>

;France
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 1, Volume 1 - Le retour des Decepticons (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 1, Volume 2 - Terrain miné (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 1, Volume 3 - L'attaque des Decepticons (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 1, Volume 4 - Une alliance inattendue (2012)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 1, Volume 5 - Un seul vaincra (2013)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 2, Volume 1 - Orion Pax (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 2, Volume 2 - Nemesis Prime (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 2, Volume 3 - La course aux reliques (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Saison 2, Volume 4 - Bataille épique (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters'' - Saison 3, Volume 1 - Le règne de Megatron (2015)
*''Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters'' - Saison 3, Volume 2 - L'ultime affrontement (2015)
*''Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters'' - Predacons Rising (2015)

*''Transformers: Prime'' - Intégrale Saison 1 (2014)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Intégrale Saison 2 (2015)
*''Transformers: Prime'' - Intégrale Saison 3, inclus le film "Predacons Rising" (2015)

==Soundtrack==
{{main|Transformers Prime: Music from the Animated Series}}

==Notes==
*Unlike most ''Transformers'' shows, episodes do not have an episode title card. Episode titles are from [[Hub Network|The Hub]] website.
*The series has also been advertised as '''''Transformers: Prime - The Animated Series'''''.
*The show was said to be "rightfully huge" at the [[BotCon 2010]] panel.<ref name="tformersbotcon10">[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=13779 BotCon 2010 - Hasbro Studios Panel - Bucket Head is Back!]</ref> Later, at the Hasbro designers' panel, the [[Thirteen|Thirteen original Transformers]] were described as being "rightfully huge".<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=13797 BotCon 2010 Hasbro designers' panel.]</ref>
*Executive Producer [[Jeff Kline]] confirmed they talked about producing a theatrical ''Prime'' film.<ref>[http://tformers.com/transformers-botcon-2011-transformers-prime-interview-with-executive-producer-jeff-kline/15863/news.html TFormers BotCon 2011 interview with Kline]</ref>
*The ''Prime'' show was originally intended to kickstart "[[Unit:E]]", a massive shared universe involving several largely-forgotten Hasbro properties. These included ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[M.A.S.K.]]'', ''[[Inhumanoids]]'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''Candyland''(!), which would later unite in an ''Avengers''-style crossover.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-robots-disguise-prime-discussion/1053596-aligned-continuity-panel-tf-con-charlotte-4.html#post13037062 TF2005.com] "More tidbits from a friend of mine who took notes at the panel: ... TFP was going to lead into a massive Avengers style Unit: E crossover to jumpstart the other brands participating. Ratchet and Fowler from TFP; Duke from GI Joe; Synergy from Jem and the Holograms; Princess Lollipop from Candyland; also characters from MASK, Stretch Armstrong, Micronauts, Sectaurs, Primordia (the renamed Inhumanoids) and more."</ref> For one reason or another, this idea didn't pan out, so we'll forever be denied the sight of Optimus Prime battling against the nefarious Lord Licorice, although [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] would pick up the idea again several years later with ''[[Revolution]]''.

===Foreign names===
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Lǐngxiù zhī Zhèng''''' (China, 变形金刚：领袖之证, "Transformers: Proof of Leader", Season 1 & 2), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Shòu Mó zhī Zhàn''''' (China, 变形金刚：狩魔之战, "Transformers: War of Demon Hunting", Season 3, ''Beast Hunters'')
*''Turkish:'' '''''Transformers: Prime''''' (Same name translation of original name), '''''Transformers: Prime: Canavar Avcıları''''' ("Transformers: Prime: Beast Hunters")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvMHCfwLXJRZGsGopibi04rx4ilDTc_1p Complete ''Transformers: Prime'' playlist on YouTube]
*[http://www.hubnetwork.com/shows/transformers-prime Hub Network page]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3iKDbKQwKI Behind the scenes video]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prime (cartoon)}}
[[Category:Prime media]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Airachnid (One)

2024-09-15T16:02:14Z

UnknownMorsel: Disambiguated link (Now leads to ROTF Sentinel Prime)

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Rubsign inactive.png|cLink=Decepticon|cPretty=Decepticon}}}}
{{disambig3|Airachnid}}
:''Airachnid is a [[Transformer]] from the [[Transformers One (franchise)|One]] portion of the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:TF-One-Airachnid-promo.jpg|right|thumb|290px|[[Scarlett Johansson|She]] should have been '''MY''' voice actress!]]
'''Airachnid''' is a Cybertronian with lots of appendages who transforms into some sort of Cybertronian helicopter and is [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]'s assistant. What does she do in the film? Only time will tell!

==Fiction==
===''One'' film===
{{voiceactor|[[Vanessa Liguori]] (English)|[[Ryōka Yuzuki]] (Japanese)|Dilara (German)}}
{{comingsoon|when=September 20, 2024}}
{{storylink|Transformers One (film)|Transformers One}}

==Toys==
===''One''===
[[File:TF-One-Cog-Changers-Airachnid.jpg|300px|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Airachnid''' (Cog Changers, [[2024]])}}</ul>
: Part of the first wave of ''Transformers One'' Cog Changers, Airachnid is an... arachnid(?) which transforms into a robot in one step! There are effects part ports on the ends of her arm-mounted cannons, though these only work while in alternate mode, as her arms are fixed and pointed at the ground while in robot mode.

[[Category:One Transformers]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]

Enemy of My Enemy Part Two

2024-09-15T16:00:03Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Terminator references */ Used "demonstrate" twice, is redundant grammar

{{disambig3|Enemy of My Enemy}}

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' #2
|prev=Enemy of My Enemy Part One
|next=Enemy of My Enemy Part Three
|image=TFTerminator 2 cvrB.jpg
|title="Enemy of My Enemy Part Two"
|caption=Part metal, part meat. Like a tin of spam.
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] and [[Dark Horse Comics]]
|date=[[June 24]], [[2020]]
|coverdate=June 2020
|story by= [[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[John Barber]]
|written by=[[David Mariotte]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[David García Cruz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Tom Waltz]], [[Riley Farmer]] and [[Megan Brown]]
}}

'''The Terminator battles Megatron's forces while Sarah Connor makes some unexpected allies, but can the T-800 cooperate with the very beings he's been sent to destroy?'''

==Synopsis==
With the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' having reawakened [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and his [[Decepticon]]s, it seems as though nothing can spoil the Decepticon leader's moment of triumph as he levels his [[fusion cannon]] at the still-dormant [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]... but he didn't bargain on the [[T-800]]! Although his first shotgun blast simply bounces off his enemy's armor, Megatron's bemused overconfidence gives the Terminator—armed with superhuman aim and extensive knowledge of Cybertronian weak points—an opening to take out his left optic with one well-placed shot! Wounded and furious, Megatron orders [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to destroy the intruder. The Terminator's unwilling companion [[Sarah Connor]] weighs her options and decides to make a run for it before the aliens notice her, but Soundwave detects her presence and dispatches [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to eliminate her.

Soundwave and Starscream struggle to pin down the smaller and more maneuverable T-800, but Megatron's chief concern is getting his fellow Decepticons back online, using [[Teletraan I]]'s restorative beam to repair and reactivate the remaining Decepticons before eliminating the [[stasis lock]]ed-Autobots. In the meantime, the Terminator withstands Soundwave's sonic blasts and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s lasers, then returns fire by hefting a discarded Cybertronian weapon off the ground and using it to send the purple [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] flying. Ravage pursues Sarah Connor as the [[human]] clambers up a nearby cable and the chase takes them onto Teletraan's console. Ravage's pounce knocks the computer's scanner so that the repair beam intended for [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] hits ''Optimus'' instead; as Starscream and Soundwave try to pin down the Terminator, they're caught off-guard when the revitalized Autobot leader promptly catches the two by surprise and sends them both sprawling! The Decepticons promptly break off their attack on the Terminator and turn their attention to Prime; correctly deducing that there might be ''two'' factions at play here, Sarah turns the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s repair systems on another robot who sports Optimus Prime's symbol... and, a few seconds later, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] joins the fight!

A panicked Starscream assumes that ''all'' the Autobots are coming back to life and orders a retreat. Despite his low opinion of the air commander, Megatron sees wisdom in Starscream's words, and orders his Decepticons to fall back as he blasts a hole in the side of the ship and flies off. The explosion leaves Prime and Bumblebee shaken but unhurt... but Prime, dismayed, notes the collateral damage has killed many Autobots and left more badly injured. Optimus thanks his strange rescuer for intervening, but the Terminator, now reduced to his metal endoskeleton, informs the pair that they too must be terminated!

The Terminator lands a shot on Optimus before Bumblebee wrestles him to the ground, but all three of the robots stop in their tracks when Sarah intervenes, and points out that, as far as she can tell, the Terminator's aggression makes him the ''real'' menace. An intrigued Optimus helps her down from the console while mulling over the prospect of sentient organics. Sarah demands an explanation of the Terminator's mission and whether she should simply let the two bigger machines destroy him. The Terminator finally admits the course that history takes from this point: after the [[Mount St. Hilary]] eruption awakens the Cybertronians, Megatron's war against humanity will prompt the people of Earth to form [[Skywatch]], an anti-Transformer taskforce, and develop the [[Skynet]] supercomputer network to coordinate armies of man-made Terminator robots. But, despite Skynet's efforts, the war will end with total Cybertronian victory, the complete conquest of Earth... and mankind's extinction. Skynet only survives by feigning surrender and secretly constructing a time machine to retroactively win the war, but the Terminator's explanation deliberately omits the ''other'' part of his time-travelling mission—to ensure the creation of ''Skynet''.

Although Bumblebee's unmoved, Optimus mulls over the implications of this story. In the Terminator's future, he eventually concludes, he and the Autobots must have died today, or else they surely would've stood up against Megatron's tyranny. Thus, the Terminator's interference has ''already'' altered the timeline; if that's true, Prime concludes, then they still have a chance to work together, prevent this dire future from ever coming to pass, and ensure the freedom of ''all'' sentient beings on Earth—biological or mechanical. With Sarah's encouragement, the Terminator weighs his options and then, reluctantly, accepts Prime's truce. The strange alliance ratified, Optimus asks for Sarah's help with reviving more Autobots; Sarah accepts, if he'll take her home afterwards... but when the Autobot leader assumes his new [[alternate mode]], based on the truck that the Terminator hijacked to get them to [[Oregon]] in the first place, the reminder causes her to turn down the free ride.

On Oregon's west coast, the Decepticons regroup at a beach, where Starscream explains that their mysterious attacker was a cleverly-disguised machine, not one of the planet's native organic sentients. The fragile humans should give them no trouble, and Starscream illustrates this point by casually annihilating a nearby group of beachgoers. Pleased at the prospect of easy conquest, Megatron turns his attention to [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] and the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s as they return from scouting the surrounding area for energy. [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] reports that they've found a suitable power source to fuel their invasion: a nearby robotics laboratory that he suspects might be connected to their mechanical foe. The Decepticons eagerly lay siege to the lab, unaware of the building's portentous position in history... the [[Cyberdyne Systems]] factory!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (10)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (15)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (16)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (18)
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (19)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (20)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]? (21)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (22)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (2)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] (6)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (7)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (9)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (11)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (12)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (13)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] (14)

|c3=
* [[Sarah Connor]] (8)
* Beachgoers (23)

|h4=[[Skynet]]|c4=
* [[T-800]] (4)

}}

==Quotes==
"Goodbye, Optimus Prime. You die as you lived... ignorant and useless."
:—'''Megatron'''

"Look, I get that you have your reasons, but right now, I only see '''one''' killer robot. I mean, the yellow one's called Bumblebee. That's ridiculous."
:—'''Sarah Connor''' chews out '''the Terminator'''

"Together, we shall ensure '''both''' your people's survival... for freedom is the right of '''all''' sentient beings."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Refraktor (or, well, ''a'' Refraktor)'s dead body appeared in [[Enemy of My Enemy Part One|the previous issue]]; the T-800's story in this issue shows an army of Terminators gunning him down in the post-apocalyptic [[Los Angeles]] battleground we glimpsed in the first splash panel of issue #1.
* Curiously, this series depicts the three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s as stasis-locked Decepticons aboard the ''Ark''. This isn't true for the [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], which introduced the trio as having bailed from the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' during its crash in the episode "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]," nor the [[Marvel Comics continuity]], where the three travelled to Earth from Cybertron by [[space bridge]].

===Transformers references===
* As he prepares to put down Optimus Prime, Megatron takes a moment to thank Skywarp for waking him first; this sequence of events is consistent with "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", where Skywarp was the first Transformer aboard the ''Ark'' to be reformatted and reactivated by Teletraan I, and promptly interfered with the computer's scanning beams to bring Megatron and the other Decepticons back online.
* The Terminator's tactical overlay identifies Starscream as "MODEL 0022^15" in reference to both his traditional {{w|McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15}} alternate mode and his [[Starscream (Movie)|film counterpart]]'s {{w|Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor|F-22}} form, Soundwave as "MODEL MC^10", a nod to the [[Micro Change|Micro Change "Cassette Man"]] toy and the "MC-10" molded on its door, and, finally, Megatron as "MODEL P38^UNC", an allusion to the [[Micro Change]] "MC-13 Gun Robo Walther P-38 U.N.C.L.E.", named for its {{w|Walther P38}} altmode and accessories inspired by the television show {{w|''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.}}''
* A cocky Skywarp sardonically compares his battle against the Terminator to "shooting [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s in a barrel."
* It's not clear if [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is dead or simply injured after Megatron leaves, but he's shown leaking fire and smoke from a hole on his left side, evoking his death in the infamous opening battle of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Other Cybertronians, such as [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], are [[Aggressive depigmentation|colored gray]], evoking [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s fate from the film.
* In this universe, [[Skynet]] is revealed to have been created by [[Skywatch|Sky''watch'']]; first a clandestine US government agency, then a full-blown international taskforce, this anti-Transformer organization was an off-again, on-again antagonist during IDW Publishing's [[2005 IDW continuity|first ongoing ''Transformers'' continuity]], before the more famous [[Earth Defense Command]] replaced it during a [[2014]] storyline.
* The Terminator's story shows a victorious Megatron defacing the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] by turning it into his personal throne, in reference to a similar moment from ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]". The scene received a prior shout-out during the second act of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' and one of the endings of ''[[Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game]].
* Bumblebee calls Prime "Big Bot," a nickname [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] used for [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoons.
* The dune buggy on the beach is drawn and colored to resemble [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]'s [[alternate mode]].

===Terminator references===
* As she reactivates Bumblebee, Sarah ruefully notes that it "seems like Judgement Day's coming anyway" in reference to both {{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day|the second ''Terminator'' film}} and the [[fandom:terminator:Judgment Day|in-universe event]]—although the latter incident does not actually appear to have ''occurred'' in this particular timeline, with the devastated landscape from issue #1 apparently the result of a protracted Decepticon occupation, not a nuclear apocalypse.
* The [[fandom:terminator:Cyberdyne Systems|Cyberdyne Systems]] corporation plays a major role in ''Terminator'' lore; the factory that Megatron attacks is based on the location from {{w|The Terminator|the first ''Terminator'' film}}, where Sarah finally outsmarted the killer robot and fatally crushed him beneath a hydraulic press. {{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day|The sequel}} then revealed that Cyberdyne had helped ''create'' Skynet's technology after salvaging and reverse-engineering the Terminator's remains in a classic {{w|bootstrap paradox|bootstrap paradox}}. As the Skynet of ''this'' universe, is, at least in part, a creation of Skywatch, it remains to be seen just how Megatron's attack on the facility might change the future...
* After the Terminator's flesh covering is destroyed in its battle with the Decepticons, the endoskeleton still possesses the ability to speak -- something demonstrated both in the {{w|Terminator Salvation|the fourth ''Terminator'' film}} and {{w|Terminator Zero|''Zero'', the 2024 Netflix anime series}}.

===Errors===
* On page five, Sideswipe is colored gray instead of red before the fight breaks out—although, given the nature of the scene, it’s possible that he's already dead.

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for an April 22nd release, this issue was deliberately pushed back to late June due to [[IDW Publishing]] temporarily suspending operations due to the {{w|COVID-19 pandemic}}.
* Backmatter for this issue is a four-page "How the Machines Are Made," feature, which feature a behind-the-scenes look at how the first two pages went from script, to layout, to inks, to color.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Optimus Prime and a time sphere, by [[Gavin Fullerton]]
* '''Cover B''': The T-800 triumphant, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[David García Cruz]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Optimus Prime and an army of Terminators, by [[Freddie E. Williams II]] and [[Jeremy Colwell]]

<gallery>
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrA.jpg
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrB.jpg
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*IDW digital comics

==External links==
[http://majorspoilers.com/2020/06/23/preview-transformers-vs-the-terminator-2/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers vs. The Terminator issues]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Enemy of My Enemy Part 2}}

Enemy of My Enemy Part Two

2024-09-15T15:59:27Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Terminator references */ General clarification on what the work is.

{{disambig3|Enemy of My Enemy}}

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' #2
|prev=Enemy of My Enemy Part One
|next=Enemy of My Enemy Part Three
|image=TFTerminator 2 cvrB.jpg
|title="Enemy of My Enemy Part Two"
|caption=Part metal, part meat. Like a tin of spam.
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] and [[Dark Horse Comics]]
|date=[[June 24]], [[2020]]
|coverdate=June 2020
|story by= [[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[John Barber]]
|written by=[[David Mariotte]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[David García Cruz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Tom Waltz]], [[Riley Farmer]] and [[Megan Brown]]
}}

'''The Terminator battles Megatron's forces while Sarah Connor makes some unexpected allies, but can the T-800 cooperate with the very beings he's been sent to destroy?'''

==Synopsis==
With the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' having reawakened [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and his [[Decepticon]]s, it seems as though nothing can spoil the Decepticon leader's moment of triumph as he levels his [[fusion cannon]] at the still-dormant [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]... but he didn't bargain on the [[T-800]]! Although his first shotgun blast simply bounces off his enemy's armor, Megatron's bemused overconfidence gives the Terminator—armed with superhuman aim and extensive knowledge of Cybertronian weak points—an opening to take out his left optic with one well-placed shot! Wounded and furious, Megatron orders [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to destroy the intruder. The Terminator's unwilling companion [[Sarah Connor]] weighs her options and decides to make a run for it before the aliens notice her, but Soundwave detects her presence and dispatches [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to eliminate her.

Soundwave and Starscream struggle to pin down the smaller and more maneuverable T-800, but Megatron's chief concern is getting his fellow Decepticons back online, using [[Teletraan I]]'s restorative beam to repair and reactivate the remaining Decepticons before eliminating the [[stasis lock]]ed-Autobots. In the meantime, the Terminator withstands Soundwave's sonic blasts and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s lasers, then returns fire by hefting a discarded Cybertronian weapon off the ground and using it to send the purple [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] flying. Ravage pursues Sarah Connor as the [[human]] clambers up a nearby cable and the chase takes them onto Teletraan's console. Ravage's pounce knocks the computer's scanner so that the repair beam intended for [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] hits ''Optimus'' instead; as Starscream and Soundwave try to pin down the Terminator, they're caught off-guard when the revitalized Autobot leader promptly catches the two by surprise and sends them both sprawling! The Decepticons promptly break off their attack on the Terminator and turn their attention to Prime; correctly deducing that there might be ''two'' factions at play here, Sarah turns the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s repair systems on another robot who sports Optimus Prime's symbol... and, a few seconds later, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] joins the fight!

A panicked Starscream assumes that ''all'' the Autobots are coming back to life and orders a retreat. Despite his low opinion of the air commander, Megatron sees wisdom in Starscream's words, and orders his Decepticons to fall back as he blasts a hole in the side of the ship and flies off. The explosion leaves Prime and Bumblebee shaken but unhurt... but Prime, dismayed, notes the collateral damage has killed many Autobots and left more badly injured. Optimus thanks his strange rescuer for intervening, but the Terminator, now reduced to his metal endoskeleton, informs the pair that they too must be terminated!

The Terminator lands a shot on Optimus before Bumblebee wrestles him to the ground, but all three of the robots stop in their tracks when Sarah intervenes, and points out that, as far as she can tell, the Terminator's aggression makes him the ''real'' menace. An intrigued Optimus helps her down from the console while mulling over the prospect of sentient organics. Sarah demands an explanation of the Terminator's mission and whether she should simply let the two bigger machines destroy him. The Terminator finally admits the course that history takes from this point: after the [[Mount St. Hilary]] eruption awakens the Cybertronians, Megatron's war against humanity will prompt the people of Earth to form [[Skywatch]], an anti-Transformer taskforce, and develop the [[Skynet]] supercomputer network to coordinate armies of man-made Terminator robots. But, despite Skynet's efforts, the war will end with total Cybertronian victory, the complete conquest of Earth... and mankind's extinction. Skynet only survives by feigning surrender and secretly constructing a time machine to retroactively win the war, but the Terminator's explanation deliberately omits the ''other'' part of his time-travelling mission—to ensure the creation of ''Skynet''.

Although Bumblebee's unmoved, Optimus mulls over the implications of this story. In the Terminator's future, he eventually concludes, he and the Autobots must have died today, or else they surely would've stood up against Megatron's tyranny. Thus, the Terminator's interference has ''already'' altered the timeline; if that's true, Prime concludes, then they still have a chance to work together, prevent this dire future from ever coming to pass, and ensure the freedom of ''all'' sentient beings on Earth—biological or mechanical. With Sarah's encouragement, the Terminator weighs his options and then, reluctantly, accepts Prime's truce. The strange alliance ratified, Optimus asks for Sarah's help with reviving more Autobots; Sarah accepts, if he'll take her home afterwards... but when the Autobot leader assumes his new [[alternate mode]], based on the truck that the Terminator hijacked to get them to [[Oregon]] in the first place, the reminder causes her to turn down the free ride.

On Oregon's west coast, the Decepticons regroup at a beach, where Starscream explains that their mysterious attacker was a cleverly-disguised machine, not one of the planet's native organic sentients. The fragile humans should give them no trouble, and Starscream illustrates this point by casually annihilating a nearby group of beachgoers. Pleased at the prospect of easy conquest, Megatron turns his attention to [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] and the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s as they return from scouting the surrounding area for energy. [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] reports that they've found a suitable power source to fuel their invasion: a nearby robotics laboratory that he suspects might be connected to their mechanical foe. The Decepticons eagerly lay siege to the lab, unaware of the building's portentous position in history... the [[Cyberdyne Systems]] factory!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (10)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (15)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (16)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (18)
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (19)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (20)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]? (21)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (22)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (2)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] (6)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (7)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (9)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (11)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (12)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (13)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] (14)

|c3=
* [[Sarah Connor]] (8)
* Beachgoers (23)

|h4=[[Skynet]]|c4=
* [[T-800]] (4)

}}

==Quotes==
"Goodbye, Optimus Prime. You die as you lived... ignorant and useless."
:—'''Megatron'''

"Look, I get that you have your reasons, but right now, I only see '''one''' killer robot. I mean, the yellow one's called Bumblebee. That's ridiculous."
:—'''Sarah Connor''' chews out '''the Terminator'''

"Together, we shall ensure '''both''' your people's survival... for freedom is the right of '''all''' sentient beings."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Refraktor (or, well, ''a'' Refraktor)'s dead body appeared in [[Enemy of My Enemy Part One|the previous issue]]; the T-800's story in this issue shows an army of Terminators gunning him down in the post-apocalyptic [[Los Angeles]] battleground we glimpsed in the first splash panel of issue #1.
* Curiously, this series depicts the three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s as stasis-locked Decepticons aboard the ''Ark''. This isn't true for the [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], which introduced the trio as having bailed from the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' during its crash in the episode "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]," nor the [[Marvel Comics continuity]], where the three travelled to Earth from Cybertron by [[space bridge]].

===Transformers references===
* As he prepares to put down Optimus Prime, Megatron takes a moment to thank Skywarp for waking him first; this sequence of events is consistent with "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", where Skywarp was the first Transformer aboard the ''Ark'' to be reformatted and reactivated by Teletraan I, and promptly interfered with the computer's scanning beams to bring Megatron and the other Decepticons back online.
* The Terminator's tactical overlay identifies Starscream as "MODEL 0022^15" in reference to both his traditional {{w|McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15}} alternate mode and his [[Starscream (Movie)|film counterpart]]'s {{w|Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor|F-22}} form, Soundwave as "MODEL MC^10", a nod to the [[Micro Change|Micro Change "Cassette Man"]] toy and the "MC-10" molded on its door, and, finally, Megatron as "MODEL P38^UNC", an allusion to the [[Micro Change]] "MC-13 Gun Robo Walther P-38 U.N.C.L.E.", named for its {{w|Walther P38}} altmode and accessories inspired by the television show {{w|''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.}}''
* A cocky Skywarp sardonically compares his battle against the Terminator to "shooting [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s in a barrel."
* It's not clear if [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is dead or simply injured after Megatron leaves, but he's shown leaking fire and smoke from a hole on his left side, evoking his death in the infamous opening battle of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Other Cybertronians, such as [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], are [[Aggressive depigmentation|colored gray]], evoking [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s fate from the film.
* In this universe, [[Skynet]] is revealed to have been created by [[Skywatch|Sky''watch'']]; first a clandestine US government agency, then a full-blown international taskforce, this anti-Transformer organization was an off-again, on-again antagonist during IDW Publishing's [[2005 IDW continuity|first ongoing ''Transformers'' continuity]], before the more famous [[Earth Defense Command]] replaced it during a [[2014]] storyline.
* The Terminator's story shows a victorious Megatron defacing the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] by turning it into his personal throne, in reference to a similar moment from ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]". The scene received a prior shout-out during the second act of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' and one of the endings of ''[[Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game]].
* Bumblebee calls Prime "Big Bot," a nickname [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] used for [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoons.
* The dune buggy on the beach is drawn and colored to resemble [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]'s [[alternate mode]].

===Terminator references===
* As she reactivates Bumblebee, Sarah ruefully notes that it "seems like Judgement Day's coming anyway" in reference to both {{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day|the second ''Terminator'' film}} and the [[fandom:terminator:Judgment Day|in-universe event]]—although the latter incident does not actually appear to have ''occurred'' in this particular timeline, with the devastated landscape from issue #1 apparently the result of a protracted Decepticon occupation, not a nuclear apocalypse.
* The [[fandom:terminator:Cyberdyne Systems|Cyberdyne Systems]] corporation plays a major role in ''Terminator'' lore; the factory that Megatron attacks is based on the location from {{w|The Terminator|the first ''Terminator'' film}}, where Sarah finally outsmarted the killer robot and fatally crushed him beneath a hydraulic press. {{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day|The sequel}} then revealed that Cyberdyne had helped ''create'' Skynet's technology after salvaging and reverse-engineering the Terminator's remains in a classic {{w|bootstrap paradox|bootstrap paradox}}. As the Skynet of ''this'' universe, is, at least in part, a creation of Skywatch, it remains to be seen just how Megatron's attack on the facility might change the future...
* After the Terminator's flesh covering is destroyed in its battle with the Decepticons, the endoskeleton still demonstrates the ability to speak -- something demonstrated both in the {{w|Terminator Salvation|the fourth ''Terminator'' film}} and {{w|Terminator Zero|''Zero'', the 2024 Netflix anime series}}.

===Errors===
* On page five, Sideswipe is colored gray instead of red before the fight breaks out—although, given the nature of the scene, it’s possible that he's already dead.

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for an April 22nd release, this issue was deliberately pushed back to late June due to [[IDW Publishing]] temporarily suspending operations due to the {{w|COVID-19 pandemic}}.
* Backmatter for this issue is a four-page "How the Machines Are Made," feature, which feature a behind-the-scenes look at how the first two pages went from script, to layout, to inks, to color.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Optimus Prime and a time sphere, by [[Gavin Fullerton]]
* '''Cover B''': The T-800 triumphant, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[David García Cruz]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Optimus Prime and an army of Terminators, by [[Freddie E. Williams II]] and [[Jeremy Colwell]]

<gallery>
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrA.jpg
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrB.jpg
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*IDW digital comics

==External links==
[http://majorspoilers.com/2020/06/23/preview-transformers-vs-the-terminator-2/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers vs. The Terminator issues]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Enemy of My Enemy Part 2}}

Enemy of My Enemy Part Two

2024-09-15T15:57:56Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Terminator references */ Grammar Fix

{{disambig3|Enemy of My Enemy}}

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' #2
|prev=Enemy of My Enemy Part One
|next=Enemy of My Enemy Part Three
|image=TFTerminator 2 cvrB.jpg
|title="Enemy of My Enemy Part Two"
|caption=Part metal, part meat. Like a tin of spam.
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] and [[Dark Horse Comics]]
|date=[[June 24]], [[2020]]
|coverdate=June 2020
|story by= [[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[John Barber]]
|written by=[[David Mariotte]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[David García Cruz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Tom Waltz]], [[Riley Farmer]] and [[Megan Brown]]
}}

'''The Terminator battles Megatron's forces while Sarah Connor makes some unexpected allies, but can the T-800 cooperate with the very beings he's been sent to destroy?'''

==Synopsis==
With the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' having reawakened [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and his [[Decepticon]]s, it seems as though nothing can spoil the Decepticon leader's moment of triumph as he levels his [[fusion cannon]] at the still-dormant [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]... but he didn't bargain on the [[T-800]]! Although his first shotgun blast simply bounces off his enemy's armor, Megatron's bemused overconfidence gives the Terminator—armed with superhuman aim and extensive knowledge of Cybertronian weak points—an opening to take out his left optic with one well-placed shot! Wounded and furious, Megatron orders [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to destroy the intruder. The Terminator's unwilling companion [[Sarah Connor]] weighs her options and decides to make a run for it before the aliens notice her, but Soundwave detects her presence and dispatches [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to eliminate her.

Soundwave and Starscream struggle to pin down the smaller and more maneuverable T-800, but Megatron's chief concern is getting his fellow Decepticons back online, using [[Teletraan I]]'s restorative beam to repair and reactivate the remaining Decepticons before eliminating the [[stasis lock]]ed-Autobots. In the meantime, the Terminator withstands Soundwave's sonic blasts and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s lasers, then returns fire by hefting a discarded Cybertronian weapon off the ground and using it to send the purple [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] flying. Ravage pursues Sarah Connor as the [[human]] clambers up a nearby cable and the chase takes them onto Teletraan's console. Ravage's pounce knocks the computer's scanner so that the repair beam intended for [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] hits ''Optimus'' instead; as Starscream and Soundwave try to pin down the Terminator, they're caught off-guard when the revitalized Autobot leader promptly catches the two by surprise and sends them both sprawling! The Decepticons promptly break off their attack on the Terminator and turn their attention to Prime; correctly deducing that there might be ''two'' factions at play here, Sarah turns the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s repair systems on another robot who sports Optimus Prime's symbol... and, a few seconds later, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] joins the fight!

A panicked Starscream assumes that ''all'' the Autobots are coming back to life and orders a retreat. Despite his low opinion of the air commander, Megatron sees wisdom in Starscream's words, and orders his Decepticons to fall back as he blasts a hole in the side of the ship and flies off. The explosion leaves Prime and Bumblebee shaken but unhurt... but Prime, dismayed, notes the collateral damage has killed many Autobots and left more badly injured. Optimus thanks his strange rescuer for intervening, but the Terminator, now reduced to his metal endoskeleton, informs the pair that they too must be terminated!

The Terminator lands a shot on Optimus before Bumblebee wrestles him to the ground, but all three of the robots stop in their tracks when Sarah intervenes, and points out that, as far as she can tell, the Terminator's aggression makes him the ''real'' menace. An intrigued Optimus helps her down from the console while mulling over the prospect of sentient organics. Sarah demands an explanation of the Terminator's mission and whether she should simply let the two bigger machines destroy him. The Terminator finally admits the course that history takes from this point: after the [[Mount St. Hilary]] eruption awakens the Cybertronians, Megatron's war against humanity will prompt the people of Earth to form [[Skywatch]], an anti-Transformer taskforce, and develop the [[Skynet]] supercomputer network to coordinate armies of man-made Terminator robots. But, despite Skynet's efforts, the war will end with total Cybertronian victory, the complete conquest of Earth... and mankind's extinction. Skynet only survives by feigning surrender and secretly constructing a time machine to retroactively win the war, but the Terminator's explanation deliberately omits the ''other'' part of his time-travelling mission—to ensure the creation of ''Skynet''.

Although Bumblebee's unmoved, Optimus mulls over the implications of this story. In the Terminator's future, he eventually concludes, he and the Autobots must have died today, or else they surely would've stood up against Megatron's tyranny. Thus, the Terminator's interference has ''already'' altered the timeline; if that's true, Prime concludes, then they still have a chance to work together, prevent this dire future from ever coming to pass, and ensure the freedom of ''all'' sentient beings on Earth—biological or mechanical. With Sarah's encouragement, the Terminator weighs his options and then, reluctantly, accepts Prime's truce. The strange alliance ratified, Optimus asks for Sarah's help with reviving more Autobots; Sarah accepts, if he'll take her home afterwards... but when the Autobot leader assumes his new [[alternate mode]], based on the truck that the Terminator hijacked to get them to [[Oregon]] in the first place, the reminder causes her to turn down the free ride.

On Oregon's west coast, the Decepticons regroup at a beach, where Starscream explains that their mysterious attacker was a cleverly-disguised machine, not one of the planet's native organic sentients. The fragile humans should give them no trouble, and Starscream illustrates this point by casually annihilating a nearby group of beachgoers. Pleased at the prospect of easy conquest, Megatron turns his attention to [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] and the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s as they return from scouting the surrounding area for energy. [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] reports that they've found a suitable power source to fuel their invasion: a nearby robotics laboratory that he suspects might be connected to their mechanical foe. The Decepticons eagerly lay siege to the lab, unaware of the building's portentous position in history... the [[Cyberdyne Systems]] factory!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (10)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (15)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (16)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (18)
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (19)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (20)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]? (21)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (22)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (2)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] (6)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (7)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (9)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (11)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (12)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (13)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] (14)

|c3=
* [[Sarah Connor]] (8)
* Beachgoers (23)

|h4=[[Skynet]]|c4=
* [[T-800]] (4)

}}

==Quotes==
"Goodbye, Optimus Prime. You die as you lived... ignorant and useless."
:—'''Megatron'''

"Look, I get that you have your reasons, but right now, I only see '''one''' killer robot. I mean, the yellow one's called Bumblebee. That's ridiculous."
:—'''Sarah Connor''' chews out '''the Terminator'''

"Together, we shall ensure '''both''' your people's survival... for freedom is the right of '''all''' sentient beings."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Refraktor (or, well, ''a'' Refraktor)'s dead body appeared in [[Enemy of My Enemy Part One|the previous issue]]; the T-800's story in this issue shows an army of Terminators gunning him down in the post-apocalyptic [[Los Angeles]] battleground we glimpsed in the first splash panel of issue #1.
* Curiously, this series depicts the three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s as stasis-locked Decepticons aboard the ''Ark''. This isn't true for the [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], which introduced the trio as having bailed from the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' during its crash in the episode "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]," nor the [[Marvel Comics continuity]], where the three travelled to Earth from Cybertron by [[space bridge]].

===Transformers references===
* As he prepares to put down Optimus Prime, Megatron takes a moment to thank Skywarp for waking him first; this sequence of events is consistent with "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", where Skywarp was the first Transformer aboard the ''Ark'' to be reformatted and reactivated by Teletraan I, and promptly interfered with the computer's scanning beams to bring Megatron and the other Decepticons back online.
* The Terminator's tactical overlay identifies Starscream as "MODEL 0022^15" in reference to both his traditional {{w|McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15}} alternate mode and his [[Starscream (Movie)|film counterpart]]'s {{w|Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor|F-22}} form, Soundwave as "MODEL MC^10", a nod to the [[Micro Change|Micro Change "Cassette Man"]] toy and the "MC-10" molded on its door, and, finally, Megatron as "MODEL P38^UNC", an allusion to the [[Micro Change]] "MC-13 Gun Robo Walther P-38 U.N.C.L.E.", named for its {{w|Walther P38}} altmode and accessories inspired by the television show {{w|''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.}}''
* A cocky Skywarp sardonically compares his battle against the Terminator to "shooting [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s in a barrel."
* It's not clear if [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is dead or simply injured after Megatron leaves, but he's shown leaking fire and smoke from a hole on his left side, evoking his death in the infamous opening battle of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Other Cybertronians, such as [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], are [[Aggressive depigmentation|colored gray]], evoking [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s fate from the film.
* In this universe, [[Skynet]] is revealed to have been created by [[Skywatch|Sky''watch'']]; first a clandestine US government agency, then a full-blown international taskforce, this anti-Transformer organization was an off-again, on-again antagonist during IDW Publishing's [[2005 IDW continuity|first ongoing ''Transformers'' continuity]], before the more famous [[Earth Defense Command]] replaced it during a [[2014]] storyline.
* The Terminator's story shows a victorious Megatron defacing the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] by turning it into his personal throne, in reference to a similar moment from ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]". The scene received a prior shout-out during the second act of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' and one of the endings of ''[[Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game]].
* Bumblebee calls Prime "Big Bot," a nickname [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] used for [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoons.
* The dune buggy on the beach is drawn and colored to resemble [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]'s [[alternate mode]].

===Terminator references===
* As she reactivates Bumblebee, Sarah ruefully notes that it "seems like Judgement Day's coming anyway" in reference to both {{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day|the second ''Terminator'' film}} and the [[fandom:terminator:Judgment Day|in-universe event]]—although the latter incident does not actually appear to have ''occurred'' in this particular timeline, with the devastated landscape from issue #1 apparently the result of a protracted Decepticon occupation, not a nuclear apocalypse.
* The [[fandom:terminator:Cyberdyne Systems|Cyberdyne Systems]] corporation plays a major role in ''Terminator'' lore; the factory that Megatron attacks is based on the location from {{w|The Terminator|the first ''Terminator'' film}}, where Sarah finally outsmarted the killer robot and fatally crushed him beneath a hydraulic press. {{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day|The sequel}} then revealed that Cyberdyne had helped ''create'' Skynet's technology after salvaging and reverse-engineering the Terminator's remains in a classic {{w|bootstrap paradox|bootstrap paradox}}. As the Skynet of ''this'' universe, is, at least in part, a creation of Skywatch, it remains to be seen just how Megatron's attack on the facility might change the future...
* After the Terminator's flesh covering is destroyed in its battle with the Decepticons, the endoskeleton still demonstrates the ability to speak -- something demonstrated both in the {{w|Terminator Salvation|the fourth ''Terminator'' film}} and the 2024 {{w|Terminator Zero|anime series}}.

===Errors===
* On page five, Sideswipe is colored gray instead of red before the fight breaks out—although, given the nature of the scene, it’s possible that he's already dead.

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for an April 22nd release, this issue was deliberately pushed back to late June due to [[IDW Publishing]] temporarily suspending operations due to the {{w|COVID-19 pandemic}}.
* Backmatter for this issue is a four-page "How the Machines Are Made," feature, which feature a behind-the-scenes look at how the first two pages went from script, to layout, to inks, to color.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Optimus Prime and a time sphere, by [[Gavin Fullerton]]
* '''Cover B''': The T-800 triumphant, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[David García Cruz]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Optimus Prime and an army of Terminators, by [[Freddie E. Williams II]] and [[Jeremy Colwell]]

<gallery>
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrA.jpg
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrB.jpg
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*IDW digital comics

==External links==
[http://majorspoilers.com/2020/06/23/preview-transformers-vs-the-terminator-2/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers vs. The Terminator issues]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Enemy of My Enemy Part 2}}

Enemy of My Enemy Part Two

2024-09-15T15:57:40Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Terminator references */ -- little piece of trivia demonstrating that there's "Terminator" canon precedent for the endoskeleton speaking (prior to Salvation, many in the fandom assumed that the Terminator couldn't speak when deskinned)

{{disambig3|Enemy of My Enemy}}

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' #2
|prev=Enemy of My Enemy Part One
|next=Enemy of My Enemy Part Three
|image=TFTerminator 2 cvrB.jpg
|title="Enemy of My Enemy Part Two"
|caption=Part metal, part meat. Like a tin of spam.
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] and [[Dark Horse Comics]]
|date=[[June 24]], [[2020]]
|coverdate=June 2020
|story by= [[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[John Barber]]
|written by=[[David Mariotte]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[David García Cruz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Tom Waltz]], [[Riley Farmer]] and [[Megan Brown]]
}}

'''The Terminator battles Megatron's forces while Sarah Connor makes some unexpected allies, but can the T-800 cooperate with the very beings he's been sent to destroy?'''

==Synopsis==
With the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' having reawakened [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and his [[Decepticon]]s, it seems as though nothing can spoil the Decepticon leader's moment of triumph as he levels his [[fusion cannon]] at the still-dormant [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]... but he didn't bargain on the [[T-800]]! Although his first shotgun blast simply bounces off his enemy's armor, Megatron's bemused overconfidence gives the Terminator—armed with superhuman aim and extensive knowledge of Cybertronian weak points—an opening to take out his left optic with one well-placed shot! Wounded and furious, Megatron orders [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to destroy the intruder. The Terminator's unwilling companion [[Sarah Connor]] weighs her options and decides to make a run for it before the aliens notice her, but Soundwave detects her presence and dispatches [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to eliminate her.

Soundwave and Starscream struggle to pin down the smaller and more maneuverable T-800, but Megatron's chief concern is getting his fellow Decepticons back online, using [[Teletraan I]]'s restorative beam to repair and reactivate the remaining Decepticons before eliminating the [[stasis lock]]ed-Autobots. In the meantime, the Terminator withstands Soundwave's sonic blasts and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s lasers, then returns fire by hefting a discarded Cybertronian weapon off the ground and using it to send the purple [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] flying. Ravage pursues Sarah Connor as the [[human]] clambers up a nearby cable and the chase takes them onto Teletraan's console. Ravage's pounce knocks the computer's scanner so that the repair beam intended for [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] hits ''Optimus'' instead; as Starscream and Soundwave try to pin down the Terminator, they're caught off-guard when the revitalized Autobot leader promptly catches the two by surprise and sends them both sprawling! The Decepticons promptly break off their attack on the Terminator and turn their attention to Prime; correctly deducing that there might be ''two'' factions at play here, Sarah turns the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s repair systems on another robot who sports Optimus Prime's symbol... and, a few seconds later, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] joins the fight!

A panicked Starscream assumes that ''all'' the Autobots are coming back to life and orders a retreat. Despite his low opinion of the air commander, Megatron sees wisdom in Starscream's words, and orders his Decepticons to fall back as he blasts a hole in the side of the ship and flies off. The explosion leaves Prime and Bumblebee shaken but unhurt... but Prime, dismayed, notes the collateral damage has killed many Autobots and left more badly injured. Optimus thanks his strange rescuer for intervening, but the Terminator, now reduced to his metal endoskeleton, informs the pair that they too must be terminated!

The Terminator lands a shot on Optimus before Bumblebee wrestles him to the ground, but all three of the robots stop in their tracks when Sarah intervenes, and points out that, as far as she can tell, the Terminator's aggression makes him the ''real'' menace. An intrigued Optimus helps her down from the console while mulling over the prospect of sentient organics. Sarah demands an explanation of the Terminator's mission and whether she should simply let the two bigger machines destroy him. The Terminator finally admits the course that history takes from this point: after the [[Mount St. Hilary]] eruption awakens the Cybertronians, Megatron's war against humanity will prompt the people of Earth to form [[Skywatch]], an anti-Transformer taskforce, and develop the [[Skynet]] supercomputer network to coordinate armies of man-made Terminator robots. But, despite Skynet's efforts, the war will end with total Cybertronian victory, the complete conquest of Earth... and mankind's extinction. Skynet only survives by feigning surrender and secretly constructing a time machine to retroactively win the war, but the Terminator's explanation deliberately omits the ''other'' part of his time-travelling mission—to ensure the creation of ''Skynet''.

Although Bumblebee's unmoved, Optimus mulls over the implications of this story. In the Terminator's future, he eventually concludes, he and the Autobots must have died today, or else they surely would've stood up against Megatron's tyranny. Thus, the Terminator's interference has ''already'' altered the timeline; if that's true, Prime concludes, then they still have a chance to work together, prevent this dire future from ever coming to pass, and ensure the freedom of ''all'' sentient beings on Earth—biological or mechanical. With Sarah's encouragement, the Terminator weighs his options and then, reluctantly, accepts Prime's truce. The strange alliance ratified, Optimus asks for Sarah's help with reviving more Autobots; Sarah accepts, if he'll take her home afterwards... but when the Autobot leader assumes his new [[alternate mode]], based on the truck that the Terminator hijacked to get them to [[Oregon]] in the first place, the reminder causes her to turn down the free ride.

On Oregon's west coast, the Decepticons regroup at a beach, where Starscream explains that their mysterious attacker was a cleverly-disguised machine, not one of the planet's native organic sentients. The fragile humans should give them no trouble, and Starscream illustrates this point by casually annihilating a nearby group of beachgoers. Pleased at the prospect of easy conquest, Megatron turns his attention to [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] and the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s as they return from scouting the surrounding area for energy. [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] reports that they've found a suitable power source to fuel their invasion: a nearby robotics laboratory that he suspects might be connected to their mechanical foe. The Decepticons eagerly lay siege to the lab, unaware of the building's portentous position in history... the [[Cyberdyne Systems]] factory!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (10)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (15)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (16)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (18)
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (19)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (20)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]? (21)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (22)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (2)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] (6)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (7)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (9)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (11)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (12)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (13)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] (14)

|c3=
* [[Sarah Connor]] (8)
* Beachgoers (23)

|h4=[[Skynet]]|c4=
* [[T-800]] (4)

}}

==Quotes==
"Goodbye, Optimus Prime. You die as you lived... ignorant and useless."
:—'''Megatron'''

"Look, I get that you have your reasons, but right now, I only see '''one''' killer robot. I mean, the yellow one's called Bumblebee. That's ridiculous."
:—'''Sarah Connor''' chews out '''the Terminator'''

"Together, we shall ensure '''both''' your people's survival... for freedom is the right of '''all''' sentient beings."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Refraktor (or, well, ''a'' Refraktor)'s dead body appeared in [[Enemy of My Enemy Part One|the previous issue]]; the T-800's story in this issue shows an army of Terminators gunning him down in the post-apocalyptic [[Los Angeles]] battleground we glimpsed in the first splash panel of issue #1.
* Curiously, this series depicts the three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s as stasis-locked Decepticons aboard the ''Ark''. This isn't true for the [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], which introduced the trio as having bailed from the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' during its crash in the episode "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]," nor the [[Marvel Comics continuity]], where the three travelled to Earth from Cybertron by [[space bridge]].

===Transformers references===
* As he prepares to put down Optimus Prime, Megatron takes a moment to thank Skywarp for waking him first; this sequence of events is consistent with "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", where Skywarp was the first Transformer aboard the ''Ark'' to be reformatted and reactivated by Teletraan I, and promptly interfered with the computer's scanning beams to bring Megatron and the other Decepticons back online.
* The Terminator's tactical overlay identifies Starscream as "MODEL 0022^15" in reference to both his traditional {{w|McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15}} alternate mode and his [[Starscream (Movie)|film counterpart]]'s {{w|Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor|F-22}} form, Soundwave as "MODEL MC^10", a nod to the [[Micro Change|Micro Change "Cassette Man"]] toy and the "MC-10" molded on its door, and, finally, Megatron as "MODEL P38^UNC", an allusion to the [[Micro Change]] "MC-13 Gun Robo Walther P-38 U.N.C.L.E.", named for its {{w|Walther P38}} altmode and accessories inspired by the television show {{w|''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.}}''
* A cocky Skywarp sardonically compares his battle against the Terminator to "shooting [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s in a barrel."
* It's not clear if [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is dead or simply injured after Megatron leaves, but he's shown leaking fire and smoke from a hole on his left side, evoking his death in the infamous opening battle of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Other Cybertronians, such as [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], are [[Aggressive depigmentation|colored gray]], evoking [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s fate from the film.
* In this universe, [[Skynet]] is revealed to have been created by [[Skywatch|Sky''watch'']]; first a clandestine US government agency, then a full-blown international taskforce, this anti-Transformer organization was an off-again, on-again antagonist during IDW Publishing's [[2005 IDW continuity|first ongoing ''Transformers'' continuity]], before the more famous [[Earth Defense Command]] replaced it during a [[2014]] storyline.
* The Terminator's story shows a victorious Megatron defacing the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] by turning it into his personal throne, in reference to a similar moment from ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]". The scene received a prior shout-out during the second act of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' and one of the endings of ''[[Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game]].
* Bumblebee calls Prime "Big Bot," a nickname [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] used for [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoons.
* The dune buggy on the beach is drawn and colored to resemble [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]'s [[alternate mode]].

===Terminator references===
* As she reactivates Bumblebee, Sarah ruefully notes that it "seems like Judgement Day's coming anyway" in reference to both {{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day|the second ''Terminator'' film}} and the [[fandom:terminator:Judgment Day|in-universe event]]—although the latter incident does not actually appear to have ''occurred'' in this particular timeline, with the devastated landscape from issue #1 apparently the result of a protracted Decepticon occupation, not a nuclear apocalypse.
* The [[fandom:terminator:Cyberdyne Systems|Cyberdyne Systems]] corporation plays a major role in ''Terminator'' lore; the factory that Megatron attacks is based on the location from {{w|The Terminator|the first ''Terminator'' film}}, where Sarah finally outsmarted the killer robot and fatally crushed him beneath a hydraulic press. {{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day|The sequel}} then revealed that Cyberdyne had helped ''create'' Skynet's technology after salvaging and reverse-engineering the Terminator's remains in a classic {{w|bootstrap paradox|bootstrap paradox}}. As the Skynet of ''this'' universe, is, at least in part, a creation of Skywatch, it remains to be seen just how Megatron's attack on the facility might change the future...
* After the Terminator's flesh covering is destroyed in its battle with the Decepticons, the endoskeleton still demonstrates the ability to speak -- something demonstrated both in the {{w|Terminator Salvation|the fourth ''Terminator'' film}} and the 2024 {{w|Terminator Zero|the anime series}}.

===Errors===
* On page five, Sideswipe is colored gray instead of red before the fight breaks out—although, given the nature of the scene, it’s possible that he's already dead.

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for an April 22nd release, this issue was deliberately pushed back to late June due to [[IDW Publishing]] temporarily suspending operations due to the {{w|COVID-19 pandemic}}.
* Backmatter for this issue is a four-page "How the Machines Are Made," feature, which feature a behind-the-scenes look at how the first two pages went from script, to layout, to inks, to color.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Optimus Prime and a time sphere, by [[Gavin Fullerton]]
* '''Cover B''': The T-800 triumphant, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[David García Cruz]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Optimus Prime and an army of Terminators, by [[Freddie E. Williams II]] and [[Jeremy Colwell]]

<gallery>
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrA.jpg
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrB.jpg
File:TFTerminator 2 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*IDW digital comics

==External links==
[http://majorspoilers.com/2020/06/23/preview-transformers-vs-the-terminator-2/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers vs. The Terminator issues]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Enemy of My Enemy Part 2}}

Transformers One (film)

2024-09-14T21:44:32Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Development timeline */

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=So remember: whether a bot is made of new parts, old parts, or spare parts... you can shine no matter what you're made of.
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari [[Steve Desmond]] [[Michael Sherman]]
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget=
|box office=
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an upcoming animated film set for release on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]],<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> ''Transformers One'' is an origin movie set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

==Cast==


{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
* [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
|c2=
* [[Megatron (Movie)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
* [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
* [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
* [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
* [[Skywarp (Movie)|Skywarp]]

|c4=
* [[Alpha Trion (ROTF)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
* [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
* [[Quintesson High Commander]]
* [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
* [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
* [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Development timeline==
* March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
* December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
* April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
* May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
* May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
* January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
* April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
* April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
* May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
* June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
* June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
* July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
* December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>

[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Where, where will we go?'' ''We could go anywhere that you know!'']]

[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Back off, back off! He's got his own dreams that won't come true!]]

* April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
* April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
* April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
* May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
* June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
* June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
* June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on X]</ref>
* June 24, 2024 — Cooley discusses how the film is in the "Old Republic" of Cybertron. D-16's backstory is being changed from being a gladiator champion to an Energon miner who is bunkmates with Orion Pax.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
* June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
* July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
* July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on X]</ref>
* July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
* July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on X]</ref>
* July 25, 202.4 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
* August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel <ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
* August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://x.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on X]</ref>
* August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] apart". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects. <ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says] </ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. <ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Chinese:'' '''''变形金刚：起源''''' （简体中文，"Transformers: The Beginning"）
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' (Brazil and Portugal, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain) , '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformers: The Beginning''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformery: Nachalo")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

T-800

2024-09-13T16:10:17Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */ Corrected links.

{{disambig3|Terminator}}
: ''T-800 units are [[Skynet]]-aligned cybernetic organisms from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:TFvTT 1 cover Terminator.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Inspired by [[Shatter]], but better in every... wait, hang on a second.]]

Hailing from a war-torn future, [[Skynet]]'s legions of mechanical '''[[Cyberdyne Systems]] Model 101 Series 800 Terminator Units''' ''are'' robots in disguise... but not in the way that you're thinking! In their base form, these mass-produced androids make up the bulk of Skynet's army, immensely durable soldiers capable of shrugging off most small-arms fire. What really gives them the edge, however, are their infiltration abilities: when sheathed in a layer of vat-grown artificial flesh, these robots are able to pass themselves off as living, breathing [[human]]s, right down to their synthetic blood. Although this trick is of negligible use against the [[Decepticon]]s, it ''does'' allow them to be sent [[Time travel|backwards in time]] to carry out "termination" missions without attracting undue attention.

==Fiction==
===''Transformers vs. The Terminator''===
[[File:EnemyOFMyEnemyPart1-T800.jpg|thumb|left|150px|"Where is [[Alice (ROTF)|Alice]]?"]]

The T-800s were created at some point after [[1984]], following the initial Decepticon invasion of [[Earth]]. To fight back, humanity united under [[Skywatch]], an international anti-Transformer alliance, and developed the [[Skynet]] supercomputer network and an army of human-built, anti-Transformer hardware that included the T-800s. Although Skynet's robotic troops were versatile fighters, able to overwhelm the aliens with their numbers, their efforts proved insufficient and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces eventually conquered the planet and destroyed humanity. Skynet only survived by feigning surrender, but secretly began constructing a time machine that would allow it to retroactively win the war. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

By the year [[2029]], Skynet had completed its [[time displacement device]] as its dwindling armies of T-800s and [[T-8000]]s fought a losing battle against the Decepticons. A group of T-800 robots activated a specially-designed member of their kind—augmented in the organic flesh that would let him travel backwards in time—and brought him to [[Omega Base]], Skynet's final stronghold against the enemy. The T-800 had only moments before the Decepticons caught on to the ruse and attacked, their onslaught effectively ending Skynet, {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}} but not before this Terminator was able to travel backwards in time to carry out his final mission: destroy the Cybertronians before they could ever awaken, and ensure that Skynet itself came into being. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

[[File:EnemyOFMyEnemyPartOne-identifyyourself.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sonya Blade?]]

This Terminator arrived in the year [[1984]], in the city of [[Los Angeles]], mere hours before the fateful eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]]. The T-800 promptly disguised itself by killing a trucker and taking his clothes—in the process, inadvertently saving the young waitress [[Sarah Connor]]. After commandeering the man's truck, the Terminator kidnapped her and ordered her to guide him to the volcano in [[Oregon]]. The pair drove to Oregon and discovered that the volcano had already begun erupting; undeterred, the T-800 veered their truck off the road and drove it straight into the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', taking the time to shoot down a [[Sky Spy]] probe as he did so. Though the impact revealed to Sarah that her kidnapper was a robot, the Terminator drove their truck right into the heart of the ''Ark'' and prepared to kill the recently awakened Decepticons before they could jeopardize his future. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}}

Though outmatched and outnumbered by his foes, the Terminator's pre-programmed knowledge of Cybertronian weakpoints let him momentarily blind Megatron and hold his own against the Decepticons, withstanding attacks from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] before Sarah Connor's attempts to escape [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] led to her accidentally reactivating the still [[stasis lock]]ed body of Optimus Prime. Together with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the pair helped turn the tide and provoked the Decepticons into retreating, but the battle left many of their comrades dead or injured. Though reduced to his metal endoskeleton, the Terminator turned his wrath on the two Autobots before Sarah convinced him to stand down. The Terminator then explained the nature of his mission and the circumstances behind him traveling through time; Optimus Prime pointed out that, based on his story, the Terminator's intervention must have ''already'' changed history, and offered to help him stop the Decepticons here and now... a proposition that the Terminator grudgingly accepted. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

After [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] had been reactivated, a process that the Terminator had not aided in, the T-800 found himself placed under Arcee's watch who took him to the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s armory for new weapons. After replicating a Cybertronian firearm scaled to his size, the Terminator helped himself to a handful of Cybertronian explosives, surreptitiously scattering them around the mountain's perimeter before Bumblebee and Sarah Connor called the Autobots to a [[Cyberdyne Systems]] facility under attack by the Decepticons. Facing off against [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]], the T-800 hurled his last explosive at the Decepticon's face whereupon he detonated all of his pilfered bombs, both killing the Decepticon and detonating the ''Ark''. It was then that Starscream cornered the android, having worked out the truth of his existence and threatening to undo his timeline by exterminating the Cyberdyne Systems staff. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

[[File:TFvTerminator4 Skynet Reborn.jpg|thumb|left|An entire army of [[new lab assistant]]s.]]
Though a quick scan confirmed that all of Starscream's hostages were expendable to Skynet's creation, the T-800 agreed to work with the Seeker. Riding in his cockpit, the android watched the SIC gun down Soundwave before he was launched at Megatron. Even with Cybertronian weaponry at point-blank range, the Terminator was no match for the Decepticon leader who contemptuously hurled him back at Starscream, the crash downing both. Pinned beneath his ally, the Terminator was tended to by Sarah Connor before Starscream, having overheard the unit's promise to finish its anti-Cybertronian mission, reverted to robot mode, the transformation sheering off the Terminator's legs. Before the Seeker could destroy the T-800 however, he was shot by a still alive Soundwave whom the Terminator and Sarah turned their own artillery on, finishing him. Tossed from Autobot to Autobot, the Terminator was then hurled by Arcee into Megatron's open wound, firing his weapons directly at the tyrant's [[spark]] and destroying him. The victorious Autobots soon returned to the ''Ark'' only to discover the Terminator's duplicity, Arcee cursing him, but Optimus took the opportunity to propose a truce between Autobot and Decepticon, musing that the unit had ultimately fulfilled his mission of stopping the Cybertronian war.

Left within Megatron's spark chamber, the Terminator's burnt remains were recovered by Skywatch who used his corpse to reverse-engineer a new line of T-800 robots, overseen by a new version of Skynet cast in Megatron's likeness. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}

{{--}}

==Notes==
* The T-800 is, of course, the iconic eponymous character type from the ''Terminator'' franchise, portrayed by [[Arnie|Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. To wit, [[Sarah Connor]] refers to the T-800 as a "psycho German" prior to learning of his nature as a cyborg.
* [[Tesshō Genda]] and [[Ryūzaburō Ōtomo]] have dubbed the T-800 in Japanese.
* ''Transformers vs. the Terminator'''s version of the T-800 is unique in that it loses its flesh covering early on, spending most of the story as a metal endoskeleton. It is also the third Terminator which demonstrates the ability to speak despite its flesh covering being removed, with the first being the prototype T-800 from ''[[w:Terminator Salvation|Salvation]]'' and the second (third, in real-world chronology) being the Terminator depicted in the ''[[w:Terminator Zero|Zero]]'' anime.

==External links==
* {{w|Terminator (character concept)|Terminator line of robots}} at Wikipedia
* {{w|Terminator (character)|Terminator}} at Wikipedia
* [[fandom:terminator:T-800 (The Terminator)|T-800]] at the Terminator Wiki

[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category:Cyborgs]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Robots]]
[[Category:Skynet]]

T-800

2024-09-13T16:09:50Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */ Minor trivia. Feel free to reword or delete.

{{disambig3|Terminator}}
: ''T-800 units are [[Skynet]]-aligned cybernetic organisms from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:TFvTT 1 cover Terminator.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Inspired by [[Shatter]], but better in every... wait, hang on a second.]]

Hailing from a war-torn future, [[Skynet]]'s legions of mechanical '''[[Cyberdyne Systems]] Model 101 Series 800 Terminator Units''' ''are'' robots in disguise... but not in the way that you're thinking! In their base form, these mass-produced androids make up the bulk of Skynet's army, immensely durable soldiers capable of shrugging off most small-arms fire. What really gives them the edge, however, are their infiltration abilities: when sheathed in a layer of vat-grown artificial flesh, these robots are able to pass themselves off as living, breathing [[human]]s, right down to their synthetic blood. Although this trick is of negligible use against the [[Decepticon]]s, it ''does'' allow them to be sent [[Time travel|backwards in time]] to carry out "termination" missions without attracting undue attention.

==Fiction==
===''Transformers vs. The Terminator''===
[[File:EnemyOFMyEnemyPart1-T800.jpg|thumb|left|150px|"Where is [[Alice (ROTF)|Alice]]?"]]

The T-800s were created at some point after [[1984]], following the initial Decepticon invasion of [[Earth]]. To fight back, humanity united under [[Skywatch]], an international anti-Transformer alliance, and developed the [[Skynet]] supercomputer network and an army of human-built, anti-Transformer hardware that included the T-800s. Although Skynet's robotic troops were versatile fighters, able to overwhelm the aliens with their numbers, their efforts proved insufficient and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces eventually conquered the planet and destroyed humanity. Skynet only survived by feigning surrender, but secretly began constructing a time machine that would allow it to retroactively win the war. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

By the year [[2029]], Skynet had completed its [[time displacement device]] as its dwindling armies of T-800s and [[T-8000]]s fought a losing battle against the Decepticons. A group of T-800 robots activated a specially-designed member of their kind—augmented in the organic flesh that would let him travel backwards in time—and brought him to [[Omega Base]], Skynet's final stronghold against the enemy. The T-800 had only moments before the Decepticons caught on to the ruse and attacked, their onslaught effectively ending Skynet, {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}} but not before this Terminator was able to travel backwards in time to carry out his final mission: destroy the Cybertronians before they could ever awaken, and ensure that Skynet itself came into being. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

[[File:EnemyOFMyEnemyPartOne-identifyyourself.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sonya Blade?]]

This Terminator arrived in the year [[1984]], in the city of [[Los Angeles]], mere hours before the fateful eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]]. The T-800 promptly disguised itself by killing a trucker and taking his clothes—in the process, inadvertently saving the young waitress [[Sarah Connor]]. After commandeering the man's truck, the Terminator kidnapped her and ordered her to guide him to the volcano in [[Oregon]]. The pair drove to Oregon and discovered that the volcano had already begun erupting; undeterred, the T-800 veered their truck off the road and drove it straight into the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', taking the time to shoot down a [[Sky Spy]] probe as he did so. Though the impact revealed to Sarah that her kidnapper was a robot, the Terminator drove their truck right into the heart of the ''Ark'' and prepared to kill the recently awakened Decepticons before they could jeopardize his future. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}}

Though outmatched and outnumbered by his foes, the Terminator's pre-programmed knowledge of Cybertronian weakpoints let him momentarily blind Megatron and hold his own against the Decepticons, withstanding attacks from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] before Sarah Connor's attempts to escape [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] led to her accidentally reactivating the still [[stasis lock]]ed body of Optimus Prime. Together with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the pair helped turn the tide and provoked the Decepticons into retreating, but the battle left many of their comrades dead or injured. Though reduced to his metal endoskeleton, the Terminator turned his wrath on the two Autobots before Sarah convinced him to stand down. The Terminator then explained the nature of his mission and the circumstances behind him traveling through time; Optimus Prime pointed out that, based on his story, the Terminator's intervention must have ''already'' changed history, and offered to help him stop the Decepticons here and now... a proposition that the Terminator grudgingly accepted. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

After [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] had been reactivated, a process that the Terminator had not aided in, the T-800 found himself placed under Arcee's watch who took him to the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s armory for new weapons. After replicating a Cybertronian firearm scaled to his size, the Terminator helped himself to a handful of Cybertronian explosives, surreptitiously scattering them around the mountain's perimeter before Bumblebee and Sarah Connor called the Autobots to a [[Cyberdyne Systems]] facility under attack by the Decepticons. Facing off against [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]], the T-800 hurled his last explosive at the Decepticon's face whereupon he detonated all of his pilfered bombs, both killing the Decepticon and detonating the ''Ark''. It was then that Starscream cornered the android, having worked out the truth of his existence and threatening to undo his timeline by exterminating the Cyberdyne Systems staff. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

[[File:TFvTerminator4 Skynet Reborn.jpg|thumb|left|An entire army of [[new lab assistant]]s.]]
Though a quick scan confirmed that all of Starscream's hostages were expendable to Skynet's creation, the T-800 agreed to work with the Seeker. Riding in his cockpit, the android watched the SIC gun down Soundwave before he was launched at Megatron. Even with Cybertronian weaponry at point-blank range, the Terminator was no match for the Decepticon leader who contemptuously hurled him back at Starscream, the crash downing both. Pinned beneath his ally, the Terminator was tended to by Sarah Connor before Starscream, having overheard the unit's promise to finish its anti-Cybertronian mission, reverted to robot mode, the transformation sheering off the Terminator's legs. Before the Seeker could destroy the T-800 however, he was shot by a still alive Soundwave whom the Terminator and Sarah turned their own artillery on, finishing him. Tossed from Autobot to Autobot, the Terminator was then hurled by Arcee into Megatron's open wound, firing his weapons directly at the tyrant's [[spark]] and destroying him. The victorious Autobots soon returned to the ''Ark'' only to discover the Terminator's duplicity, Arcee cursing him, but Optimus took the opportunity to propose a truce between Autobot and Decepticon, musing that the unit had ultimately fulfilled his mission of stopping the Cybertronian war.

Left within Megatron's spark chamber, the Terminator's burnt remains were recovered by Skywatch who used his corpse to reverse-engineer a new line of T-800 robots, overseen by a new version of Skynet cast in Megatron's likeness. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}

{{--}}

==Notes==
* The T-800 is, of course, the iconic eponymous character type from the ''Terminator'' franchise, portrayed by [[Arnie|Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. To wit, [[Sarah Connor]] refers to the T-800 as a "psycho German" prior to learning of his nature as a cyborg.
* [[Tesshō Genda]] and [[Ryūzaburō Ōtomo]] have dubbed the T-800 in Japanese.
* ''Transformers vs. the Terminator'''s version of the T-800 is unique in that it loses its flesh covering early on, spending most of the story as a metal endoskeleton. It is also the third Terminator which demonstrates the ability to speak despite its flesh covering being removed, with the first being the prototype T-800 from ''{{w:Terminator Salvation|Salvation}}'' and the second (third, in real-world chronology) being the Terminator depicted in the ''{{w:Terminator Zero|Zero}}'' anime.

==External links==
* {{w|Terminator (character concept)|Terminator line of robots}} at Wikipedia
* {{w|Terminator (character)|Terminator}} at Wikipedia
* [[fandom:terminator:T-800 (The Terminator)|T-800]] at the Terminator Wiki

[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category:Cyborgs]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Robots]]
[[Category:Skynet]]

T-800

2024-09-12T22:45:46Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */ Minor Schwarzenegger allusion in the comic.

{{disambig3|Terminator}}
: ''T-800 units are [[Skynet]]-aligned cybernetic organisms from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:TFvTT 1 cover Terminator.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Inspired by [[Shatter]], but better in every... wait, hang on a second.]]

Hailing from a war-torn future, [[Skynet]]'s legions of mechanical '''[[Cyberdyne Systems]] Model 101 Series 800 Terminator Units''' ''are'' robots in disguise... but not in the way that you're thinking! In their base form, these mass-produced androids make up the bulk of Skynet's army, immensely durable soldiers capable of shrugging off most small-arms fire. What really gives them the edge, however, are their infiltration abilities: when sheathed in a layer of vat-grown artificial flesh, these robots are able to pass themselves off as living, breathing [[human]]s, right down to their synthetic blood. Although this trick is of negligible use against the [[Decepticon]]s, it ''does'' allow them to be sent [[Time travel|backwards in time]] to carry out "termination" missions without attracting undue attention.

==Fiction==
===''Transformers vs. The Terminator''===
[[File:EnemyOFMyEnemyPart1-T800.jpg|thumb|left|150px|"Where is [[Alice (ROTF)|Alice]]?"]]

The T-800s were created at some point after [[1984]], following the initial Decepticon invasion of [[Earth]]. To fight back, humanity united under [[Skywatch]], an international anti-Transformer alliance, and developed the [[Skynet]] supercomputer network and an army of human-built, anti-Transformer hardware that included the T-800s. Although Skynet's robotic troops were versatile fighters, able to overwhelm the aliens with their numbers, their efforts proved insufficient and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces eventually conquered the planet and destroyed humanity. Skynet only survived by feigning surrender, but secretly began constructing a time machine that would allow it to retroactively win the war. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

By the year [[2029]], Skynet had completed its [[time displacement device]] as its dwindling armies of T-800s and [[T-8000]]s fought a losing battle against the Decepticons. A group of T-800 robots activated a specially-designed member of their kind—augmented in the organic flesh that would let him travel backwards in time—and brought him to [[Omega Base]], Skynet's final stronghold against the enemy. The T-800 had only moments before the Decepticons caught on to the ruse and attacked, their onslaught effectively ending Skynet, {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}} but not before this Terminator was able to travel backwards in time to carry out his final mission: destroy the Cybertronians before they could ever awaken, and ensure that Skynet itself came into being. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

[[File:EnemyOFMyEnemyPartOne-identifyyourself.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sonya Blade?]]

This Terminator arrived in the year [[1984]], in the city of [[Los Angeles]], mere hours before the fateful eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]]. The T-800 promptly disguised itself by killing a trucker and taking his clothes—in the process, inadvertently saving the young waitress [[Sarah Connor]]. After commandeering the man's truck, the Terminator kidnapped her and ordered her to guide him to the volcano in [[Oregon]]. The pair drove to Oregon and discovered that the volcano had already begun erupting; undeterred, the T-800 veered their truck off the road and drove it straight into the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', taking the time to shoot down a [[Sky Spy]] probe as he did so. Though the impact revealed to Sarah that her kidnapper was a robot, the Terminator drove their truck right into the heart of the ''Ark'' and prepared to kill the recently awakened Decepticons before they could jeopardize his future. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}}

Though outmatched and outnumbered by his foes, the Terminator's pre-programmed knowledge of Cybertronian weakpoints let him momentarily blind Megatron and hold his own against the Decepticons, withstanding attacks from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] before Sarah Connor's attempts to escape [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] led to her accidentally reactivating the still [[stasis lock]]ed body of Optimus Prime. Together with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the pair helped turn the tide and provoked the Decepticons into retreating, but the battle left many of their comrades dead or injured. Though reduced to his metal endoskeleton, the Terminator turned his wrath on the two Autobots before Sarah convinced him to stand down. The Terminator then explained the nature of his mission and the circumstances behind him traveling through time; Optimus Prime pointed out that, based on his story, the Terminator's intervention must have ''already'' changed history, and offered to help him stop the Decepticons here and now... a proposition that the Terminator grudgingly accepted. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

After [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] had been reactivated, a process that the Terminator had not aided in, the T-800 found himself placed under Arcee's watch who took him to the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s armory for new weapons. After replicating a Cybertronian firearm scaled to his size, the Terminator helped himself to a handful of Cybertronian explosives, surreptitiously scattering them around the mountain's perimeter before Bumblebee and Sarah Connor called the Autobots to a [[Cyberdyne Systems]] facility under attack by the Decepticons. Facing off against [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]], the T-800 hurled his last explosive at the Decepticon's face whereupon he detonated all of his pilfered bombs, both killing the Decepticon and detonating the ''Ark''. It was then that Starscream cornered the android, having worked out the truth of his existence and threatening to undo his timeline by exterminating the Cyberdyne Systems staff. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

[[File:TFvTerminator4 Skynet Reborn.jpg|thumb|left|An entire army of [[new lab assistant]]s.]]
Though a quick scan confirmed that all of Starscream's hostages were expendable to Skynet's creation, the T-800 agreed to work with the Seeker. Riding in his cockpit, the android watched the SIC gun down Soundwave before he was launched at Megatron. Even with Cybertronian weaponry at point-blank range, the Terminator was no match for the Decepticon leader who contemptuously hurled him back at Starscream, the crash downing both. Pinned beneath his ally, the Terminator was tended to by Sarah Connor before Starscream, having overheard the unit's promise to finish its anti-Cybertronian mission, reverted to robot mode, the transformation sheering off the Terminator's legs. Before the Seeker could destroy the T-800 however, he was shot by a still alive Soundwave whom the Terminator and Sarah turned their own artillery on, finishing him. Tossed from Autobot to Autobot, the Terminator was then hurled by Arcee into Megatron's open wound, firing his weapons directly at the tyrant's [[spark]] and destroying him. The victorious Autobots soon returned to the ''Ark'' only to discover the Terminator's duplicity, Arcee cursing him, but Optimus took the opportunity to propose a truce between Autobot and Decepticon, musing that the unit had ultimately fulfilled his mission of stopping the Cybertronian war.

Left within Megatron's spark chamber, the Terminator's burnt remains were recovered by Skywatch who used his corpse to reverse-engineer a new line of T-800 robots, overseen by a new version of Skynet cast in Megatron's likeness. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}

{{--}}

==Notes==
* The T-800 is, of course, the iconic eponymous character type from the ''Terminator'' franchise, portrayed by [[Arnie|Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. To wit, [[Sarah Connor]] refers to the T-800 as a "psycho German" prior to learning of his nature as a cyborg.
* [[Tesshō Genda]] and [[Ryūzaburō Ōtomo]] have dubbed the T-800 in Japanese.

==External links==
* {{w|Terminator (character concept)|Terminator line of robots}} at Wikipedia
* {{w|Terminator (character)|Terminator}} at Wikipedia
* [[fandom:terminator:T-800 (The Terminator)|T-800]] at the Terminator Wiki

[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category:Cyborgs]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Robots]]
[[Category:Skynet]]

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music That Inspired the Score)

2024-09-04T19:39:51Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Track Titles & Length */ Minor formatting error, has been corrected

{{disambig2|the album of original music themes and sketches written during preproduction|the album of original music as written for the film|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)}}
{{album
|series=''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]] (Music That Inspired the Score)''
|image=ROTB-Music-Inspired-Score-cover.jpeg
|caption=
|label=Bontemps Per Minute Music, Inc. / [[Milan]]
|releasedate=[[June 7]], [[2024]] (digital)
|prodnumber=
|asin=B0D5CL1197 (digital)
|prev=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)
}}

'''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music That Inspired the Score)''''' is an album featuring more original instrumental music composed by [[Jongnic Bontemps]] for the ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]''. This release covers music from the preproduction of both the movie and score, with eight tracks adding up to about 22 minutes. The first three are fully fleshed out character theme suites, while the other five are composer "sketches", meaning they are earlier renditions of material that show up in the proper score that may have changed somewhere along the way.

==Track Titles & Length==
# [[Optimus Prime (Movie)#Rise of the Beasts film|Prime]] (3:49)
# [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] (1:57)
# [[Unicron#Rise of the Beasts film|Unicron]] <ref name="Unicron">denotes a track that contains Vince DiCola's Unicron theme</ref> (1:20)
# Ideas [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] (2:30)
# Ideas Maximals Maximize (4:13)
# Ideas [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] (2:36)
# Ideas [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terracons]] {{sic}} (2:41)
# Ideas Unicron The Tower (3:20)

==Notes==
* The album was previously teased during a YouTube interview in March 2024; it was [https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/06/06/music-that-inspired-the-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-score-to-be-released/ formally announced] on [[June 6]] and released to streaming services the next day. Given that ''most'' new music releases on Fridays, its release date was chosen to celebrate the one-year anniversary of ''Rise of the Beasts'' being released in theatres ([[June 9]], which falls on a Sunday in 2024).

==External links==
* [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5CL1197/ Listen on Amazon Music]
* [https://music.apple.com/us/album/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-music-that/1748703514 Listen on Apple Music]
* [https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-music-that-inspired-the-score-jongnic-bontemps/f0frwlon6fvab Listen on Qobuz]
* [https://open.spotify.com/album/2mXw8DPnnuvO8zknwLxQtg?si=A7ZJrMD9Q763w3A73k1ywQ Listen on Spotify]
* [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kWXZ2WXjEs2X6CThGeZRTWYJSxicDoXfk&si=dse2SRCg-cyw7Bsb Listen on YouTube]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rise of the Beasts — Music That Inspired the Score}}
[[Category:Albums]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts media]]

Jongnic Bontemps

2024-09-04T19:39:13Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Albums */ -- Added Composer sketch album, indented to show that it is related to the above film. If incorrectly indented, please edit

{{disambig2|the American music composer who goes by "JB"|the English voice actor|JB Blanc}}
'''Jongnic "JB" Bontemps''' is an American film and television composer best known for scoring [[Steven Caple Jr.]]'s film ''The Land'', the skateboarding documentary ''United Skates'', and the 2023 video game ''Redfall''. Having been mentored by ''Transformers'' [[live-action film series]] alumni [[Steve Jablonsky]], Bontemps was eventually tapped to compose the score for Caple Jr.'s [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|''Rise of the Beasts'']], with Jablonsky joining him late in production to finish the score.

==Albums==
*''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)]]''
**''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music That Inspired the Score)]]''

==Notes==
*For [[Unicron]]'s appearance in the movie, Bontemps interpolated [[Vince DiCola]]'s theme for the character from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. ''Awesome''.

==External links==
*[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4742012/ Jongnic "JB" Bontemps at Internet Movie Database]

===Interviews===
*May 2023—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03oixFpqNg4 TransMissions]
*June 2023—[https://variety.com/2023/artisans/news/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-score-composer-bontemps-interview-1235636948/ Variety]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bontemps, Jongnic}}
[[Category:Musicians]]

Carlos Guzman

2024-09-04T16:47:41Z

UnknownMorsel: Not much more info to add. Will look to contribute elsewhere.

{{picsneeded}}
'''Carlos Guzman''' is an editor at [[IDW Publishing]]. He began as an intern at IDW in February 2009. Shortly after he completed his internship, they hired him full time as an Editorial Assistant on their ''Transformers'' and ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' comics, and he's been working there since. He has most recently created his own webcomic, entitled ''Time Cheetah''.

Around the ''[[Revolution]]'' period, [[John Barber]] had a transition where he and Guzman co-edited several titles before Guzman became the full editor of all Transformers titles.

==Editing credits==
===Assistant Editor===
*''[[Transformers: Tales of the Fallen|Tales of the Fallen]]'' [[Tales of the Fallen issue 2|#2]]-[[Tales of the Fallen issue 4|#4]]
*''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|#15]], [[All Hail Megatron issue 16|#16]]
*''[[Ride-Along|Spotlight: Prowl]]''
*''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' [[...For All Mankind|#1]], [[Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|#2]], [[Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|#3]]
*''[[The Transformers: Ironhide]]'' [[Iron in the Blood|#2]], [[Ironing Out the Details|#3]], [[Any Old Iron|#4]]

===Editor===
*''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' [[All His Engines|#7]] onward
*"[[Full of Fire!]]"
*''[[Mars Attacks: The Transformers]]''
*''[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' all issues
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Last Light (issue)|#57]] (with [[John Barber]]), [[Informed|''Revolution'' one-shot]]
*''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot
*''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One]]'' [[The Line Between Us|#4]] (with [[John Barber]]), [[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|''Revolution'' one-shot]] onward
*''Revolution'' one-shots for ''[[Thundercracker & Buster Save the World|The Transformers]]'', ''[[The Modern World|Action Man]]'', ''[[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|Till All Are One]]'', ''[[D.T.A.|G.I. Joe]]'' and ''[[Informed|More than Meets the Eye]]''
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5|''G.I. Joe'' vol. 5]] all issues
*''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|Lost Light]]'' all issues
*''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' all issues
*''[[First Strike]]'' one-shots:
{{creatorstub}}

==External links==
===Social Media===
* [https://x.com/Rufio_420 Official Twitter Account]

===Interviews===
*July 2011—San Diego Comic-Con ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JePVL6XBT5Q Part 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Ss-9K2DLI Part 2]) (with [[Chris Ryall]], [[Denton J. Tipton]], [[Mike Costa]], [[John Barber]], [[Livio Ramondelli]], [[Tom Waltz]], and Brandon Kale)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Guzman, Carlos}}
[[Category:Editors]]
[[Category:IDW Publishing]]

Carlos Guzman

2024-09-04T16:44:38Z

UnknownMorsel: /* External links */ -- Added some social media presence

{{picsneeded}}
'''Carlos Guzman''' is an editor at [[IDW Publishing]]. He began as an intern at IDW in February 2009. Shortly after he completed his internship, they hired him full time as an Editorial Assistant on their ''Transformers'' and ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' comics, and he's been working there since.

Around the ''[[Revolution]]'' period, [[John Barber]] had a transition where he and Guzman co-edited several titles before Guzman became the full editor of all Transformers titles.

==Editing credits==
===Assistant Editor===
*''[[Transformers: Tales of the Fallen|Tales of the Fallen]]'' [[Tales of the Fallen issue 2|#2]]-[[Tales of the Fallen issue 4|#4]]
*''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|#15]], [[All Hail Megatron issue 16|#16]]
*''[[Ride-Along|Spotlight: Prowl]]''
*''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' [[...For All Mankind|#1]], [[Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|#2]], [[Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|#3]]
*''[[The Transformers: Ironhide]]'' [[Iron in the Blood|#2]], [[Ironing Out the Details|#3]], [[Any Old Iron|#4]]

===Editor===
*''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' [[All His Engines|#7]] onward
*"[[Full of Fire!]]"
*''[[Mars Attacks: The Transformers]]''
*''[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' all issues
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Last Light (issue)|#57]] (with [[John Barber]]), [[Informed|''Revolution'' one-shot]]
*''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot
*''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One]]'' [[The Line Between Us|#4]] (with [[John Barber]]), [[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|''Revolution'' one-shot]] onward
*''Revolution'' one-shots for ''[[Thundercracker & Buster Save the World|The Transformers]]'', ''[[The Modern World|Action Man]]'', ''[[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|Till All Are One]]'', ''[[D.T.A.|G.I. Joe]]'' and ''[[Informed|More than Meets the Eye]]''
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5|''G.I. Joe'' vol. 5]] all issues
*''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|Lost Light]]'' all issues
*''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' all issues
*''[[First Strike]]'' one-shots:
{{creatorstub}}

==External links==
===Social Media===
* [https://x.com/Rufio_420 Official Twitter Account]

===Interviews===
*July 2011—San Diego Comic-Con ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JePVL6XBT5Q Part 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Ss-9K2DLI Part 2]) (with [[Chris Ryall]], [[Denton J. Tipton]], [[Mike Costa]], [[John Barber]], [[Livio Ramondelli]], [[Tom Waltz]], and Brandon Kale)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Guzman, Carlos}}
[[Category:Editors]]
[[Category:IDW Publishing]]

Operation Bumblebee, Part 1

2024-09-03T22:44:11Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Quotes */ Attempt at caption humor

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 30
|prev=Orion Pax, Part 3
|next=Operation Bumblebee, Part 2
|image=OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee's new ride.jpg
|caption="Listen, this isn't what it looks like..."
|title="Operation Bumblebee, Part 1"
|season=2
|season ep=4
|airdate=[[March 10]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9DbMo0uxwc
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Bumblebee questions his worthiness to his team after he is compromised.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 extractor yoink.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Yoink!]]
[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] stake out a [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] mining operation overseen by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Optimus isn't about to let Megatron have whatever gave off the signal that led him and Ratchet here, and he confronts Megatron just as the Vehicons break earth and hand the package to him. Megatron advises Optimus to stow his weapons; the device they've unearthed is a deadly [[spark extractor]], capable of sapping the spark from the body of every Cybertronian in its radius. He takes the opportunity to gloat about how Optimus—ahem, ''Orion''—led him to it before stepping through the [[GroundBridge]], and ordering the Vehicons to hold Ratchet and Optimus off. Close by, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] speeds over a cliff and through the attacking Vehicons, before driving into the GroundBridge. He transforms and grabs the package from Megatron's hand, before turning around and bolting. Megatron runs after him, but upon arriving outside the vortex, finds his troops destroyed and all three [[Autobot]]s gone.

Back at base, Bumblebee brags about his vehicular acrobatics. Ratchet informs Optimus of the reason for the Autobot homing beacon on the device—it was sealed away in Iacon during the war, but was jettisoned offworld when the [[Decepticon]]s raided the city. [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] asks if Optimus remembers if he transcribed any other coordinates, but Optimus regrets that he does not. Ratchet posits that Megatron said he decrypted multiple targets to play havoc with Optimus' psyche.

On the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron laments over the loss of the spark extractor, and regrets that he did no more than destroy Bumblebee's [[voice box]] back on Cybertron. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] reminds Megatron that there are still two contacts on [[Earth]] to investigate.

[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee's operation.jpg|thumb|right|250px|'''Doctor''': So what are we transplanting today? '''Silas''': A T-cog--er, I mean liver. '''Doctor''': A liver? In a robot? '''Silas''': And?]]
On the road, Bumblebee sounds off to [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to rendezvous with him at the coordinates of the new distress beacon. Upon arriving, however, the only device present is an upright beacon. Suddenly, Bumblebee is stunned by a large electrical blast, and he falls unconscious. [[Silas]] and a [[MECH]] team emerge from the shadows, including a [[MECH Surgeon]] who starts work on Bumblebee. Unseen by the troops below, Starscream arrives and transforms on an overlooking cliff. As MECH spots Bulkhead incoming, the surgeon finishes his work, and the team departs in a helicopter. Bulkhead arrives and asks Bumblebee who did it, but Bumblebee doesn't recall. Bulkhead advises pursuit, and transforms to roll—but Bumblebee doesn't. Antsy at the hold-up, Bulkhead asks Bumblebee why he's not transforming, and Bumblebee replies that he can't.

Back at base, Ratchet scans Bumblebee and discovers that his [[transformation cog|T-cog]] is missing. The Autobots quickly work out MECH is behind it, and Optimus tells Bumblebee he's going to have to rely on his friends for a while. Bumblebee is very depressed. Optimus is worried about what Megatron might unearth next.

[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 Silas meets Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"So, which of us should be called Scarface?"]]
MECH install Bumblebee's T-cog into the robot they've built, but when they power it up and have it scan a helicopter, the robot is unable to transform. Starscream, who has been spying on them, reveals himself and proposes an alliance. He explains the T-cog requires [[energon]] to work. He intends to supply MECH with information on energon so they can work out a way to find energon deposits.

Bumblebee is making a pain of himself bugging Ratchet, who asks [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] to keep him busy. Unfortunately all of their entertainment reminds Bumblebee of his missing vehicle mode. Raf makes another attempt to make Bumblebee feel better, but is undermined by Arcee and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] racing into the base at high speed. Ratchet has to stop Bumblebee from going out for a walk, but feels guilty at his inability to fix his fellow Autobot. Some time later, Ratchet picks Raf up outside [[Memorial High School|school]], much to the boy's discomfort.

[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee runs after Knock Out.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Robots in mirror are closer than they appear.]]
On monitoring duty, Bulkhead detects a signal, and Bumblebee insists on going with him to investigate.

Raf asks how Bumblebee's voice box was damaged, and Ratchet tells how Bumblebee was captured at [[Tyger Pax]] and given a working over by the Decepticons. Though a [[Ratchet (WFC)|field medic]] saved the scout, it wasn't enough to save his voice box.

Bulkhead and Bumblebee track the signal to a cave. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] soon comes barreling out, closely followed by [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]]. While Bulkhead tackles the latter, Bumblebee attempts to chase Knock Out on foot. He soon finds he can't even transform his arms to deploy his guns, and is forced to continue the pursuit by using an old truck as an impromptu go-kart. Unfortunately it loses a wheel, and as Knock Out speeds off with the pilfered device, Bumblebee is sent flying off a cliff.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (9)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (2)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (10)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (18)
*[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] (19)
|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (6)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (7)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (8)
*[[Silas]] (11)
*[[MECH Surgeon]] (12)
*[[Sierra]] (14)
*[[Sierra's friend]] (15)
*[[Starter Guy]] (16)
*[[Vince]] (17)

|c4=
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (13)
}}

==Quotes==
[[Image:UrbanaOffendsBumblebee01.jpg|thumb|right|250px|One robot was harmed by the airing of this commercial.]]
"The new Urbana 500. It won't just rock your world. It will transform it."
:—The '''commercial narrator''' hates Bumblebee

"Taking the "auto" out of an Autobot is ''so'' not a good thing."
:—'''Miko'''

"...You want to ride with the siren on?" 
"No, thank you."
:—'''Ratchet''' attempts to cheer up '''Raf'''

"Still don't know how you talked me into this. You're worse than Miko."
:—'''Bulkhead''' on Bumblebee's persuasiveness

"Bumblebee, where's your famous horsepower? Show me some ''speed''!"
:—'''Knock Out''', unintentionally striking a nerve

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This marks the first mention of Megatron being responsible for destroying Bumblebee's capacity to speak at [[Tyger Pax]], having been established in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' for the Aligned continuity.
* Megatron calls Optimus by his pre-Prime name "Orion Pax" from the previous episodes. The three sets of coordinates the Decepticons are investigating here are likewise the fruits of [[Project Iacon]].
* We first heard about [[Project Chimera]] in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]", the events of which Starscream makes mention of. Here we finally see what the project is: an attempt to create a MECH-designed Transformer.
* The old pickup truck Bumblebee uses to chase Knock Out was first seen in "[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]", and again in "[[Metal Attraction]]" and "[[New Recruit]]".
* MECH's attacks on Breakdown and Arcee are brought up, which happened in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and "[[Crisscross (episode)|Crisscross]]", respectively. Starscream also brings up MECH's attack on Breakdown when he meets them face to face.
* Starscream compares facial scars with Silas, having gotten his from Arcee in "[[Partners (Prime)|Partners]]".

===Transformers references===
[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 spark extractor.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Behold, the latest handheld gaming system: THE SEGA MATRIX, with the ability to transform into any gaming system in the world, even those NOT made by [[Sega|SEGA]]!]]

* The ''device du jour'' today is the spark extractor, courtesy of ancient Decepticons. However, unlike the [[spark extractor|original]], this one seems to be more of a bomb-like device, sapping the sparks of everyone in its radius. It might not be a coincidence that the device showed up in an episode written by [[Marty Isenberg]], given that he was one of the two showrunners of the [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|series]] it originated from.
* The T-cog is a reference to the [[transformation cog]] of Generation 1 lore. It was first referred to in the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]", in which the lack of a transformation cog meant that [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] was stuck in city mode.
* Ratchet also has to explain to Bumblebee that the Autobots are "[[Robots in Disguise (disambiguation)|Robots In Disguise]]", which is why he can't leave the base while his T-Cog is missing.
* The reason behind the loss of Bumblebee's voice is near identical to the explanation given for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|another Bumblebee]]. In fact, several of the visuals for the flashback scene are lifted almost directly from [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''[[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]]'' [[Movie Prequel issue 1|issue 1]].

===Real-world references===
* Megatron uses the term "mutually assured destruction", a longtime slogan for the effect of nuclear war.
* Knock Out references Rent-A-Car, a real-world car rental service, though given what a generic name it has, this may be a coincidence.

===Errors===
* In "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]", [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] refers to Bumblebee as a custom muscle car, but in this episode he is revealed to be an apparently-uncustomized [[Urbana 500]].
* Though Ratchet has standard vehicle instrumentation, the needles don't move, at least while they're in shot. His speedometer is showing a higher reading as they slowly move away from the school than later when they're driving down the street.
* When Optimus draws his weapon at the start of the episode, he draws his left cannon. When he charges Megatron he's then wielding his right cannon.
* When Jack drives Arcee into the Autobot Base and puts his foot down, it disappears through the floor.
* [[Orion Pax, Part 1|Again]], Optimus Prime/Orion Pax is referred to as an "ar-KIVE-ist," this time by Bulkhead.

===Trivia===
* In a first for the series, Bumblebee's car mode is revealed as the [[Urbana 500]].
* This is the first time a fight has happened ''inside'' the GroundBridge. Seeing as it's quite long, this may explain how in other episodes, characters sometimes exit the GroundBridge in a different order than they entered it.
* Bumblebee, Ratchet and Starscream's Cybertronian modes, again, have Earth vehicle kibble.
* The title is a nod to a Season 1 episode "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".
* It was revealed that several artifacts were jettisoned into space during the war, explaining why [[Energon Harvester|earlier]] [[polarity gauntlet|devices]] were found on Earth.
* Bumblebee's door wings move with his emotions just like with Starscream. They act like animal ears.
* Optimus has finally been repaired from the damage he got in his battle with Megatron in "[[One Shall Fall]]".
* [[Project Chimera]]'s fingers and right shoulder armor look ''very'' similar to Optimus's. We see why [[Nemesis Prime (episode)|episodes later]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Opération Bumblebee, Partie 1'''" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operation Bumblebee, Teil 1'''" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 25|25 October]] [[2012]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Henkei Funō!? Bumblebee SOS'''" (変形不能!?バンブルビーSOS, "Unable to Transform!? SOS Bumblebee")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 27|27 October]] [[2012]]
*This is the first episode to mix up the theme of the titles by putting "Henkei" first.

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operação Bumblebee, Parte 1'''" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 6|6 June]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operazione Bumblebee, Parte 1'''" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 11|11 October]] [[2012]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 15 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 7: Orion Pax ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Ultimate Bumblebee (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Volume 1: Orion Pax ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Operation Bumblebee (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Multiverse

2023-06-11T15:57:35Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Timelines */

{{featured}}

[[File:TransformersCollisionCourse-multiverse.jpg|thumb|right|300px|One encouraging thing the Guide does have to say on the subject of parallel universes is that you don't stand the remotest chance of understanding it. You can therefore say "What?" and "Eh?" and even go cross-eyed and start to blither if you like without any fear of making a fool of yourself.]]

The '''multiverse''', aka the '''Universal Continuum''', the '''Multi-Verse of Eternity''', the '''Cybertronian Multiverse''', or the '''Spacetime World''' (時空界 ''Jikūkai''), is the overall collection of [[Continuity|universes and timelines]] related to the [[Transformer]]s and their adventures. The multiverse consists of a very large number of universes, and millions of them have been classified and categorized as [[universal stream]]s. Between these streams, outside of time and space, exists the interdimensional void of [[unspace]]. Many, but not all, realities within the multiverse can be characterized by the presence of shapeshifting mechanoid lifeforms—most often the Cybertronians themselves, but also [[Robotix]], [[Waruder]]s, [[Planicron]]s, [[GoBot]]s, or [[Go-Bot (species)|Go-Bot]]s—and the existence of either the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] or [[Skalorr|some]] [[Gobotron|suitable]] [[Botropolis|analogue]].

Although some have theorized that the prevalence of Cybertron across the dimensions means that it acts as a kind of "stable axis" upon which the entire multiverse spins, many individual Cybertrons and their inhabitants might never know that they exist on a larger continuum; on a cosmic scale, travel between individual universes is comparatively rare, and often accidental. However, there exist certain groups and individuals dedicated to monitoring, moving between, and/or protecting the many worlds of the multiverse, including [[Vector Prime]], the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]] and their successors the [[Planicron|Flaternity]], the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTechs]], and the [[Autobot#Cloud|Spacetime Police]] of [[Cloud World]]. There are also others who are a threat to the multiverse including [[Unicron]], [[The Fallen]], the [[Megatron Aggregate]], the [[Elder God]]s, the [[Quintesson#Cyberverse cartoon|Quintessons]], and [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] of the Cloud World.

Beyond the multiverse lies the [[Megaverse]], a larger collection of universes primarily unrelated to but still thinly connected to the Transformers, and beyond that, the [[Omniverse]], which contains all the many myriad realities that exist across infinity.

{{bigquote|The Multiverse is indeed a complicated and wonderful place, is it not? The moment you start to believe you understand its grand celestial mechanics, a new exception gives you cause for pause.|[[Vector Prime]]|[[Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/05]]}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:Nyc-alternate-future1.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

The idea of parallel worlds, alternate dimensions, and different realities is older than the science-fiction genre itself, although the term "multiverse" was not used to describe the idea of multiple simultaneous realities until 1963. As a broad science-fiction pastiche, it should come as no surprise that the ''Transformers'' franchise would touch on the idea: while the third season of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'' cartoon]] featured a brief jaunt to a strange "[[negative universe]]", it would be the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] that hewed closer to what was to come when its [[Rhythms of Darkness!|67th issue]] spotlighted a dystopian "possible future" where [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] ruled supreme and ended with [[Hook, Line, and Sinker|Unicron's minions]] dragging Galvatron back to the primary timeline. From day one, the cartoon and comic book were never meant to overlap; they diverged almost immediately by adding or killing off characters as needed while ancillary media like storybooks and coloring books freely mixed and matched characters at will: today, we refer to these strange little offshoots as "[[micro-continuity|micro-continuities]]". Early fans divided these two primary timelines into the "Marvel" or "Sunbow" universes; at this point in time, of course, all of the ''Transformers'' fiction took place in what would later become the "[[Generation 1 continuity family]]"—although 1996's ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' featured an entirely new cast of [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, it soon became clear that they hailed from another such "possible future" and that their timeline had experienced a version of the classic Generation 1 storyline in their past.

[[File:Universe1afull.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

After the conclusion of the "[[Beast Era]]" in 2000, Hasbro returned to basics by porting the Japanese ''Car Robots'' anime and redubbing it into ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' to become the brand's first complete reboot. Two years later, ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' upped the ante by taking a page from the early days of the brand: a [[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|cartoon]], a [[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|mutually irreconcilable comic book]], plus the usual swathe of books, video games, and mini-comics all set in their own little continuities brought the number of major continuities up to seven. In 2002, when developing what would become ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'', [[Aaron Archer]] proposed a franchise known as ''[[Transformers: Super Cross|Super Cross]]'', which would've featured a damaged [[Unicron]] kidnapping heroes and villains from many different realities, including ''Armada'', ''Beast Wars'', ''Robots in Disguise'', and "Generation 1", in a bid to restore his damaged body.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3687399744633791&id=247519665288500&m_entstream_source=permalink ''Super Cross'' pitch binder]</ref> Parts of the scrapped ''Super Cross'' backstory evolved into 2003's ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' storyline; this first true exploration of the "multiverse" concept expanded the concept to include [[Shell Game|several entirely]] [[Transformers: Universe CD-ROM|new realities]]. Around the same time, author [[Simon Furman]] penned the "[[Worlds Collide]]" storyline in Dreamwave's ''Armada'' comic book, which featured "Generation 1" Galvatron and a group of Decepticons jumping realities to serve as Unicron's heralds. Indeed, Unicron would play a key role in the multiverse meta-lore to come: around the same time as ''Universe'', multiple Furman works established that certain key figures in the ''Transformers'' mythos, most prominently Unicron and his benevolent opposite [[Primus]], were unique beings who transcended dimensional barriers and could exist or travel to multiple timelines simultaneously. Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee]] extrapolated on Furman's work, extended the concept to encompass [[Vector Prime]], [[The Fallen]], and the rest of the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and coined the term "[[multiversal singularity]]" to describe this phenomenon.

Shortly after [[IDW Publishing]] brought Simon Furman on to develop a pitch for their then-newly acquired ''Transformers'' license in 2005, he originally proposed a crossover story that would've brought together the casts of both ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' and [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] in response to a Unicron-based threat and an "omniverse in chaos". Evidently, IDW turned down the pitch, and Furman wound up writing the ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]'' miniseries instead.<ref>''Transformers, a New Direction'', Simon Furman's Transformers proposal printed in [[The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman|The Best of Simon Furman]]</ref>

[[File:Axiomnexusgonetoofar.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

It would take another few years before the multiverse concept returned to the forefront: in early [[2008]], [[BotCon]] licensee [[Fun Publications]] introduced the ''[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]'' setting as a means of exploring the increasingly vast ''Transformers'' multiverse. Co-opting its name and cast from Hasbro's [[Transtech|aborted ''Beast Machines'' sequel]], the ''TransTech'' prose stories and comic books introduced the hyper-advanced city of [[Axiom Nexus]], inhabited by both highly evolved "[[Transcendent Technomorph]]s" and "offworlder" travellers who hailed from every conceivable corner of the ''Transformers'' multiverse, ranging from mainstream "Generation 1" realities to obscure offshoots like the original ''[[GoBots|Challenge of the GoBots]]'' television show. ''TransTech'' stitched together throwaway bits of lore: notably, it tied together throwaway concepts like "subspace" and "transwarp" into [[Unspace|a single unifying concept]] that occupied the space between individual realities. Most notably for the purposes of this article, the ''TransTech'' stories featured scientists observing and classifying different realities under a specific alphanumeric system. Although author [[Greg Sepelak]] has gone on record to say that this "[[universal stream]]" system was originally conceived as a way of making the TransTech seem detached and alien,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201113130526/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/101932-tfwikinet-thread-or-the-all-new-all-different-community-portal/page-320#entry3411810 The Allspark Forums, 2nd January 2016]</ref> this did not stop both fans and other creatives from using it as a definitive system of universal classification—a home-grown substitute for the elaborate cosmologies of the {{w|Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|Marvel}} and {{w|Multiverse (DC Comics)|DC}} multiverses.

From 2009 to 2010, the [[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|Allspark Almanac]] expanded the ''Transtech'' notation to, among other things, include a [[Gargent|proper universal cluster]] for ''GoBots'', [[Nexus|another]] for the TransTech themselves, and even one for [[Quadwal|the "real world"]]. For the next eight years, the multiverse would define Fun Publications' time on the brand; stories would frequently involve characters crossing into different realities or embarking upon epic cross-dimensional quests.

[[File:MarceloMatere-continuities.jpg|thumb|right|250px| I keep changing it, don't I? Which do you prefer: Universe? Multiverse? Omni-fragging verse - ohh it doesn't really fragging matter, does it?]]

As most adult-oriented Japanese fiction tends to play in the margins of the complicated [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Japanese cartoon continuity]], the idea of exploring the entire ''Transformers'' multiverse as a concept did not crop up as frequently in most Japanese fiction. However, different works of fiction featured time-travel plots and branching timelines—the most prominent of these splinter realities would be the [[BT World]], which would give rise to the powerful, multiverse-spanning "[[Alternity (species)|Alternity]]", until they were superseded by the two-dimensional [[Planicron]]s from [[Flatworld]] in a [[pack-in material|pack-in]] epic spanning from 2003 all the way to 2012. The ''[[Transformers Cloud]]'' prose stories from 2014 to 2015 featured by far Takara's most extensive flirtation with the concept, introducing another hub reality in the form of the artificially induced "[[Cloud World]]" inhabited by "Spacetime Police" who took a much more active role in the multiverse than their Transtech cousins and utilized their own, simpler, "[[Multiverse#Spacetime|Spacetime]]" system of universe classification.

That same year, Fun Publication's [[Ask Vector Prime]] feature offered the most definitive look at the multiverse yet: in addition to fleshing out obscure realities, delving into the history of the TransTech and the multiverse itself, tying together bits of ''TransTech'', ''Cloud'', and ''Alternity'' lore, and exploring the lives of other pan-dimensional beings like the [[Hytherion]], the column took a stab at laying out a definitive multiversal cosmology by establishing both the [[Megaverse]] and the wider [[Omniverse]], and providing in-fiction explanations for things like [[animation error]]s and fictional crossovers. Ultimately, however, with their time on the brand winding down, Fun Publications introduced the "[[Shroud]]" in late 2015: after years of increasingly contentious debate about their position in the multiverse meta-lore, the Shroud provided an in-fiction means of retroactively nullifying the concept of multiversal singularities entirely while also "strengthening the dimensional boundaries" and rendering further dimensional travel much harder.

With the end of BotCon in 2016 and the eventual dissolution of Fun Publications, the multiverse again took a back seat. It would not be until 2019 that the [[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|''Cyberverse'' cartoon]] returned to the concept over the course of its second and third seasons, although these multiverse tales were smaller in scope compared to what had come before, hearkening back to the possible futures and alternate timelines of Marvel's ''Transformers'' comic. In 2022, however, Hasbro brought the concept back in a big way: the [[Transformers: Legacy|''Legacy'' toyline]], a celebration of the brand as a whole, features characters from across the ''Transformers'' multiverse <ref>"Universes collide! TRANSFORMERS: LEGACY brings together fan-favorite characters from across the TRANSFORMERS multiverse with figures featuring deco inspired by their universe."</ref>—as of writing, the toyline features characters from "Generation 1", the "[[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]]", "[[Animated continuity family|Animated]]", and the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned"]] continuity families.

In a moment of supreme irony, IDW Publishing—whether through coincidence or an attempt to capitalize on ''Legacy'''s main marketing push— again attempted to tackle the multiverse again in 2022's ''[[Transformers: Collision Course]]'' miniseries; due to unclear circumstances, however, the comic would be scrapped at the last moment. With IDW's loss of the ''Transformers'' license at the end of 2022, it's unclear if future licensees will touch upon this corner of the ''Transformers'' mythos.

==Multiversal cartography==
{{quote|It is only natural for my species (and yours) to attempt to name, label, classify and clarify, build a taxonomy. But there will always be realms that defy understanding, always be mysteries left to uncover, always be exceptions to every rule. Isn't it glorious?|[[Vector Prime]]|[[Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 5/21/2015]]}}

[[File:WotT Cybertron.jpg|thumb|left|400px|There are many worlds, but they share the same sky...]]

The ''Transformers'' multiverse is vast, but just ''how'' vast is not entirely clear. As a subset of the endless [[Omniverse]], the multiverse encompasses an extremely large number of potential realities: according to [[Vector Prime]], this number lies somewhere in the millions,<ref>[[Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 5/21/2015]]</ref> the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s of [[Axiom Nexus]] claim to have discovered at least 15,962,782 different universes,<ref>"[[Withered Hope]]"</ref> the Autobots of [[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|one universe]] analyzed 75,890,007 realities while searching for [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|their Optimus Prime]],<ref>"[[Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4]]"</ref> [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]] once put the number at a whopping fifteen quadrillion,<ref>"[[Games of Deception]]"</ref> and other stories have described the multiverse as infinite.<ref>[[Balancing Act, Part 2]]</ref><ref>[[Transformers: Deviations]]</ref><ref>[[The Trial]]</ref> Regardless of how many potential realities might exist, there exist a finite number of beings with the technological sophistication and drive to explore and chart them, and as a result groups of Transformers and Transformer-analogues across the dimensions have come up with different ways to chart and classify these parallel realities.

{{--}}

===Universal streams===
{{main|Universal stream|List of universal streams}}
Within the fictional ''Transformers'' multiverse, the advanced [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s of [[Axiom Nexus]] identify individual timelines with in the multiverse as specific "[[universal stream]]s", each encompassing a specific cartoon, comic book, video game, movie, toy commercial, or just about any other form of ''Transformers'' media. Each universal stream receives a specific name regarding the continuity family of origin (known in-fiction as a "universal cluster"), a number that indicates its "real-world" date of creation, and a Greek letter that denotes the specific form of media. Using this notation, one could identify the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''Transformers'' cartoon]] and [[The Transformers: The Movie|the animated film]] as taking place in universe "[[Primax 984.17 Alpha]]". A universal stream might encompass a single work of fiction, or many interconnected franchises; for example, the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers Prime'']], ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'', and ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoons all take place in "[[Uniend 911.05 Alpha]]". A single universal stream might also form the foundation for multiple divergent timelines, all mutually contradictory in their own way: so it is that universe "[[Primax 984.0 Gamma]]", the reality of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel comic]], branches off at different points into [[Primax 490.0 Gamma]], [[Primax 512.5 Gamma]], [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]], or [[Primax 290.03 Gamma]].

Thanks to a simple and relatively intuitive classification scheme, it became easy for both official creators and fans to retroactively identify basically every universe and continuity that had appeared up to that point, and due to its prominence in official fiction compared to other forms of universal classification, we usually default to Axiom Nexus notation when categorizing universes on this wiki. From 2015 to 2016, the [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook feature namedropped ''hundreds'' of universal streams—some based upon mainstream cartoons and comics, others on obscure toy commercials and storybooks, still others spinning off out of original stories or outlandish "what-if" scenarios. However, Vector Prime was careful to inform his readers that the efforts of the TransTech, while admirable, were but arbitrary labels attempting to tidily categorize a nigh-infinite phase space. Universal clusters and the beings that dwell within them blur, overlap, and do not always fall into clear-cut categories, as evidenced by the existence of realities like [[Primax 610.17 Kappa]] or [[Iocus 1012.30 Gamma]].

Ultimately, however, with the termination of the Fun Publications/Hasbro partnership at the end of [[2016]], no new TransTech fiction has been or likely ever will be published. New stories or continuities introduced after this cut-off date—including ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Cyberverse]]'', ''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (franchise)|EarthSpark]]'', or ''[[Transformers: BotBots (franchise)|BotBots]]''—do not possess in-fiction universal stream designations and probably never will.

===Worlds===
For most TakaraTomy fiction that involves different universes (notably ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Legends]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]''), many characters utilize a dirt simple system whereby the more plot-relevant universes are designated short names based on content and referred to as X "World"(世界 ''Sekai''). A prominent example is the "[[G1 World]]" (G1世界), containing the main Japanese Generation 1 timeline. Universes are also described more generically, such as "the world of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]''" (アニメイテッドの世界).<ref>"[[LG-16 Slipstream Sequel]]"</ref>

The higher dimensional [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]] use the universal stream system in conjunction with the simpler names. Residents of the [[Cloud World]] may appear to use this system, but their usage of "World" is very different ([[#Spacetimes|see below]]).

===Spacetimes===
In ''[[Transformers Cloud]]'', the multiversal regulators of [[Cloud World]] organize the multiverse, which they call the "Spacetime World", under a system of "Spacetimes" (時空 ''Jikū''). Each spacetime falls under a two-letter code designating its general dimensional category, such as "[[The Transformers (franchise)|OG]]" or "[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|MD]]", representing real world franchises rather than continuity. These categories can also be referred to as "Worlds" (世界 ''Sekai'') or unnumbered spacetimes. Individual timelines are then numbered via two digit time coordinates. As such, you get designations like "24-BW Spacetime" (第24BW時空 ''Dai-Nijūyon Bīdaburyū Jikū''). This does not indicate strict separation, as many spacetimes are connected in greater "flows of time" (時の流れ ''toki no nagare''), representing continuities, that can cross different world categorizations; the numerical designations indicate branches in this flow.

These relatively well-behaved spacetimes have a tendency to indicate somewhere in the vicinity of a franchise's cartoon. In the event an "irregular spacetime" does not have a cartoon, Cloud's "Spacetime Police" have been known to just kind of wing it, producing designations such as "EX-LG Spacetime" (indicating [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Deadlock's ''Legends'' comic]]) and "15-OGSS Spacetime" (a divergent spacetime that spun out of 01-OG Spacetime due to the events of ''[[Transformers: The Battle of the Star Gate|The Battle of the Star Gate]]'').

One very special spacetime that does not quite follow the system established above is OG001 Spacetime (OG001時空), representing the very first episode of a ''Transformers'' cartoon—the English version of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". Consequentially, this spacetime is regarded by Cloud natives as the origin point of the multiverse as a whole.

===Levels===
The [[GoBot]]s of several Gargent realities, such as [[Gargent 984.08 Alpha]], refer to an alternate reality as a "Level", as depicted in the ''Challenge of the GoBots'' cartoon and later ''Transformers''-[[canon]]ized by [[Ask Vector Prime#Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric]]. Unlike a "stream", a "level" can refer to a main universe's entire timeline in addition to all of its splinter timelines. The GoBots' home universe is the 1st level while the dread reality ruled by Queen [[Exor]]'s [[Insectoid]]s is the 21st level. [[Primax 984.0 Gamma]], as well as its splinter [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]], is dubbed the 22nd level in "[[Withered Hope]]", and one or more [[Viron]] realities is dubbed the 44th level in "[[Echoes and Fragments]]". Other GoBot-populated realities or reality systems include the 8th, 13th, 17th, 19th, 25th, 28th, 30th, 33rd, and 52nd levels; as per hidden text in "[[Cultural Appropriation]]", the GoBots identify other ''Transformers''-affiliated realities as Levels 16, 29, 34, 39, 51, 59, 63, 69, 72, and 77, though it's not clear how these map onto the standard TransTech notation.

===Strata===
Riffing off the aforementioned system of "levels", the Autobots of [[Primax 085.0 Eta]] call universal streams "Strata", with reference to their specific reality as "Strata 1". Only one other designation is known: [[Gargent 087.0 Kappa]] is referred to as Strata 22 in both Ask Vector Prime and [[Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric]].

===Cybertrons===
The Cybertronians who inhabit the negative-polarity version of [[Axiom Nexus]] utilize a slightly modified version of the standard universal stream notation: under their system, universes are classified as "Cybertron-[x]", with [x] using the first letter of its cluster name, the first letter of its universe type, and the year of its creation. Using this system, the [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|original "Shattered Glass" universe]] would be "Cybertron-PE08".<ref>"[[Epilogue Two]]"</ref>

===Universes===
Promotional material for the multiverse-themed ''[[Transformers: Legacy]]'' toyline classifies its characters under a system of "origin universes" that roughly correspond to when and where they originally appeared. Under this schema, the versions of [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] who debuted in the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' cartoon hail from the "Prime Universe"; likewise, ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] belongs to the "Cybertron Universe". What exactly constitutes a single "universe" is unclear and sometimes inconsistent: for instance, ''Legacy'' considers characters like [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] to be denizens of the "G1 Universe", which covers a [[Generation 1 continuity family|vast swathe of mutually contradictory cartoons, comics, storybooks, and more]]; fellow G1 character [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], meanwhile, comes from the "Comic Universe", a veiled reference to the specific [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK universe]] in which Impactor first appeared. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Legacy|''Legacy'' Laser Optimus Prime]], on the other hand, hails from the "G2 Universe", which would, at least in theory, identify him as a member of the 1990s [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]]... a comic in which he never actually ''appeared'' in this body. Additionally, there are some instances where two characters that come from different universes have the same label, and ones who come from the same universe having different labels. As mentioned, Impactor originated in Marvel UK, while [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]] hails from [[IDW Publishing]]’s 2005 continuity, yet both have the same label, Comic Universe. The flip side of this is with Unicron Trilogy characters, such as [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Cybertron Metroplex]] and [[Starscream (Armada)|Armada Starscream]], who technically are from the same universe, but are labeled for their cartoons of origin (although that’s probably due to the differing styles between the series).

Suffice it to say that Hasbro, and indeed most of the toy-buying public, cares very little about these kinds of inconsistencies.

===Timelines===
The ''[[Transformers: Forged to Fight]]'' mobile game describes alternate universes as "timelines", with a corresponding alphanumeric designation. Thus far, only [[Timeline G1-700-110b|one timeline]] has been identified in this way, an original universe loosely based on the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'']] episode "[[Grimlock's New Brain]]".

===Others===
Some alternate realities are given more descriptive names by their discoverers or the inhabitants who live there. Examples include the "[[X-Dimension]]", "[[Limbo]]", "the [[Dead Universe]]", "[[Alpha Q's universe]]", or "[[Menonia]]".

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[File:Newcolors KillingJar.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

During their reign over [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Quintesson]]s used a specialized portal chamber to exile prisoners to alternate dimensions, including an ice world, a place with no physical substance, and the magical land of [[Menonia]]. {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}}

While trying to escape a [[Quintesson]] scientist, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], and [[Marissa Faireborn]], accidentally flew the Quintesson's ship into a [[black hole]] that led to a strange “[[negative universe]]”. By travelling back through that universe's “white hole”, the group returned to their original reality. {{storylink|The Killing Jar (episode)|The Killing Jar}}
=====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity=====
[[File:Precursor World Planets.jpg|thumb|left|400px]]
The [[Precursor World]] came into existence as a multiverse unto itself, composed of seven monochromatic universes, each containing its own variant of a mysterious energy known as [[Star Power]]. In the final battle between the native [[Primus Vanguard]] and their nemeses the [[Specter]]s, the Primus Vanguard pooled all their Star Power into a [[Silver Matrix|single vessel]] to obliterate the Specters, and in so doing fused their multiverse into a single shared reality. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 1|Finale Part 1}}

When the Precursor World eventually met its end in the [[Big Bang (event)|Big Bang]], at least one daughter universe was birthed in the form of the [[G1 World]]. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 2|Finale Part 2}} The denizens of these two closely intertwined realities subsequently bothered each other via [[time travel]]. Like, a lot. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic}}

In [[2004]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] travelled to the [[Legends World]] following a [[solitarium]] explosion. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 6|Bonus Edition Vol. 6}} The Autobot returned with [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] in tow {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 7|Bonus Edition Vol. 7}} and the Destronger was forced to leave by [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

The meddling of the time traveler [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] to tip history in favor of the [[Decepticon]]s irrevocably altered the timeline of the G1 World from [[2005]] onwards, eventually producing a splinter universe known as the [[BT World]]. {{storylink|Changing Lanes}} This BT World would lead to the creation of the truly multidimensional [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]], who protected the universes against threats like the [[Hytherion]] {{storylink|From Here to Alternity}} and [[Megatron (G1)|those who sought to control the beast]]. {{storylink|To Mega Therion}} The Alternity's battles spanned multiple universes till a plot by Megatron forced the Alternity to be replaced by the [[Planicron]]s. {{Storylink|Alternation}}

The [[Binaltech (technology)|Binaltech]]s and [[Protector]]s traveled to G1 World to attend the trial of [[Primacron]] by the [[Quintesson]]s in [[2011]]. Upon the conclusion of proceedings, Primacron departed the G1 World for dimensions unknown. {{storylink|Controverse}} In the same year, the Autobots traveled to a parallel dimension to assist the inhabitants of [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], a parallel version of Earth. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

[[File:Skids and screech.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

At some point, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] bathed in [[Dimension Slide]] particles, giving him new abilities that allowed him to transverse the multiverse. He, with another version of himself called [[Screech (Generations)|Screech]], leapt to another universe to deal with an errant ghost of Starscream from Skids's own universe. {{storylink|Starscream's New Body}} Becoming a "Dimensional Investigator", Skids policed the dimensions with his [[Skids Squadron]], made up of Skidses from across dimensions. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 20|Bonus Edition Vol. 20}}

In [[2015]], the G1 World was accessed by the Legends World's Rattrap via his dreams. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 8|Bonus Edition Vol. 8}} {{storylink|2015's Swerve}} {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter|Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 9|Bonus Edition Vol. 9}} {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Brainstorm Chapter|Brainstorm Chapter}}

In [[2021]], [[Unicron]] summoned [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] from their native dimensions to aid in the resurrection of his G1 World incarnation, reformatting them into fodder for [[Grand Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Grand Galvatron Chapter}} Unicron later summoned [[Grand Scourge]] to the G1 World in an attempt to bamboozle [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]] into fighting alongside his warriors. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} Unicron's tampering with the timeline and universe threatened to destabilize the multiversal barriers, so everybody banded together to stop Unicron's plans, but not before Grand Scourge and [[Galvatron II]] were tossed to locations unknown through a crack in spacetime. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}} Around this time, many beings went back and forth to the Legends World for various reasons.

During the 2030s, many beings also went to the Legends World for various reasons. It was during this time that the Legends World was properly created by the Zamojin. After that world was destroyed, its refugees found shelter in the G1 World during this era till the Legends World's recreation.

Breakdown returned to his home universe and Slipstream (having went to the G1 World following her stint in the Legends World) also returned to her proper reality. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

Upon his purification of [[Angolmois Energy|malicious Angolmois]] by [[Lio Convoy]] in [[2050]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s unhindered [[spark]] traveled back in time to the Precursor World under its own power to save both universes. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 2|Finale Part 2}}

Centuries later [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] were revived after [[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|their deaths]] by [[Logos Prime]] and had some trippy adventures aboard his multiversal pyramid ship thing before being deposited on a [[Jungle Planet (colony)#Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Jungle Planet]] somewhere in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Aurex cluster]]. {{storylink|Beast Wars Reborn}}

After the [[Great Transformation]], Cheetor sent Rattrap and Waspinator to recover Rhinox's spirit from the Legends World. Despite interference from the ghost of Starscream, they succeeded. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rattrap)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Waspinator)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

======Legends World======
[[File:Legendsvol30-RattrapTigatron.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

As an experiment to study [[Beast Power]], the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] sought to use their [[spirit energy|telepathic powers]] to create a universe from scratch. In the 2030s of the [[G1 World]], the Zamojin had [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and [[Twin Twist (G1)|Twin Twist]] assist them by procuring the [[Zodiac]]. With that, the Zamojin's telepathic powers, and [[proton energy]] from the [[Space Pirates]], the Legends World was created. The two Autobots felt obligated to help as their comrades, [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] and [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], were from the Legends World, but had migrated to the G1 World in [[2004]]—time was a meaningless consideration in inter-universal travel. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 66|Bonus Edition Vol. 66}} The Beast Power used was copied from beast Transformers from across the G1 World and duplicated in the Legends World, forming deformed versions of those same Beast Transformers who would go on to populate the universe's [[Earth]]. The Legends World also had an interesting property in that the adventures of Transformers from across the multiverse were extant as ''Transformers''-branded media, with accompanying toys. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 41|Bonus Edition Vol. 41}}

The Legends World's [[spirit energy|inherent properties]] allowed its [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] to access the G1 World through dreaming. There, he was able to meet various Autobot heroes in the [[2015]] of the G1 World that he knew from media in his native universe. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 8|Bonus Edition Vol. 8}} {{storylink|2015's Swerve}} {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter|Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 9|Bonus Edition Vol. 9}} {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Brainstorm Chapter|Brainstorm Chapter}} [[Tigatron]] would later join Rattrap in another "dream", this time to the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|''Adventure'' cartoon]]. {{storylink|Go! Adventure}}

[[File:LegendsVol16-Slipstream.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

In the G1 World's 2004, the [[Predacon (BW)|Destronger]] [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] and the [[Autobot]] [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] were thrown into the [[Legends World]] by a [[solitarium]] explosion. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 6|Bonus Edition Vol. 6}} Jetfire would return to his proper universe with Whirl and Roadbuster in tow. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 7|Bonus Edition Vol. 7}} Seeking allies in his mission to recover [[Megatron (RID)|Devil Gigatron]] from the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s clutches, [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] arrived in the Legends World and convinced Sky-Byte to leave the life he'd established for the regular G1 World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

When [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] threatened to destroy the Legends World on the behalf of its creators, the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]], the denizens of the universe were able to pull in [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] from the late 2030s through a portal to handle her. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 12|Bonus Edition Vol. 12}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} He would soon be followed by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who found a portal to the Legends World and established his presence there. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 23}} [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Another Megatron]] arrived with a seemingly resurrected [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. Together, they attempted to rob the world of its [[Mini-Con]] "toys". {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Armada Megatron)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} To counter them, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] travelled to the Legends World with the [[10.2 ultra-drill|ultra-drill]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 14|Bonus Edition Vol. 14}} Escaping inevitable imprisonment by the Autobot authorities on her [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] used transdimensional gyro-rotors acquired from [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] to flee to the Legends World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 16|Bonus Edition Vol. 16}} Due to the growing Decepticon power on the Legends World, Alpha Trion brought in [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 17|Bonus Edition Vol. 17}} Armada Megatron and Armada Starscream would be finally sent back to their universe when Alpha Trion used the ultra-drill to bring in [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] to calm down Starscream before he sacrificed himself again. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 18|Bonus Edition Vol. 18}}

[[File:LegendsComic SkidsSquadron.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

To alleviate his recent weight gain, the [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] of the 2030s went to the Legends World to get a new body from that universe's [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]. {{storylink|LG19 Sprung Prologue}} Jealous of the attention Springer was getting from the women of the Legends World, Tigatron stole the ultra-drill and brought in women from across the multiverse. His plan didn't work out, as they all ended swooning over Springer anyway. Except one. The Legends World's own [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]; this rejection sent Springer crying back home. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}} This universe was soon visited by the [[Deadlock (Cloud)|Deadlock]] of [[Cloud World]], with [[SARA]] in tow. After some angst about not being like the [[Drift (disambiguation)|Drift]] of other universes, he was sent on his way back by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], who was now a dimensional investigator. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} The Legends World was in turn visited by [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] from after the [[Great Transformation]], who were in search of the spirit of [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rattrap)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]'s ghost arrived to possess Waspinator again, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Waspinator)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} but was foiled by the resurrected Rhinox. Together, the three Beast Warriors returned to their proper world and time. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

Sick of the constant universal incursions, Skids attempted to expel all foreign beings from the Legends World with the assistance of the multiversal [[Skids Squadron]] and seal it, but the natives fought against this effort and convinced Skids that he was the one destroying the peace of this universe. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 20|Bonus Edition Vol. 20}}

In [[2021]], one of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s plots involving a [[black hole]] led a group of Autobots and Decepticons being forced to become small [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] in order to escape their continually shrinking bodies. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} Knowing of Whirl and Roadbuster's origins in the Legends World and that its natives could easily build new bodies for them, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] pinpointed the world's spacetime coordinates from the two [[Wreckers]]' residual radiation and used solitarium to travel there. The Decepticons had the same idea, joining up with [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] in the Legends World to get new bodies. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} To keep the former [[Headmaster Junior|Headmasters Jr]] (and [[Clouder]]) safe, [[Grand Maximus]] sent them over to the Legends World into Fortress's care. Shockwave, having detected Megatron in the same universe, travelled there as well. {{storylink|LG24 Shockwave & Cancer Prologue}} [[Devil Z]], having died in the G1 World, was resurrected in the Legends World through dark magic. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 34|Bonus Edition Vol. 34}}

Through means unknown, the [[Precursor World]]'s [[Convobat]]'s [[transtector]] travelled to the [[Legends World]], where it acted in a move chronicling Convobat's adventures. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Convobat)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

When a mysterious transtector appeared in the Legends World, the Autobot Headmasters Jr summoned [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] to that world to claim it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 35|Bonus Edition Vol. 35}} Soon, Rattrap visited [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] again in his sleep, inspiring the Headmaster to finally come over to the Legends World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 39|Bonus Edition Vol. 39}}

[[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]], of a universe similar to the G1 World, attempted to invade the Legends World with his Scorponok, but was foiled with the help of heroic [[Nebulan]] Headmasters from the villain's universe. {{storylink|LGEX Headmaster Set Chapter}} Having travelled through many worlds, [[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]] came face to face with [[Katsu Don]] over the fate of the Legends World, for Transformers in his time had eventually realized it existed and were inspired by children cheering on the heroes while watching and reading ''Transformers'' media. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 41|Bonus Edition Vol. 41}} In preparation for civil war between the Decepticon factions on the Legends World, [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]] came over to act as the black box for a new [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|LG-43 Trypticon Project Chapter}}

Turned good by a reformed Devil Gigatron, [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] attempted to use the might of the Dimensional Patrol to control the Legends World and hunt down the [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]] who were hiding out in that universe. He and Skids banned the use of transtectors, which made the other denizens of the Legends World turn against them and help [[Dark Ai]] restore all six Combatrons' evil personalities. All involved were forced out the universe. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

To explain Ginrai's mysterious transformation into [[Magna Convoy]], [[Delta Magnus]] and [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]] were brought in by Waspinator using the ultra-drill. They had no idea what the wasp was talking about. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Magna Convoy)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} In the wake of Trypticon's devastation of [[Tokyo]], Alpha Trion brought in the G1 World's [[Disaster Relief Team]] to assist in rebuilding. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}}

The smaller Targetmaster partners, lost since the [[black ball]] incident, were transported to the Legends World when the Decepticon Targetmasters forced Alpha Trion to use his ultra-drill. {{storylink|Mutant Targetmaster Birth Chapter}} Not knowing of this, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Shaoshao Li]] arrived in the Legends World in search of the Targetmasters. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} Also present on the world were [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and [[Sue Faireborn]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 46|Bonus Edition Vol. 46}} Hearing of [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]]'s new ability to clone beings with his beam, [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] traveled to the Legends World to use it to create [[Insecticon clone]]s. Also present were [[Mega]] and [[Giga]], resurrected by Devil Z from their deaths in the G1 World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 47|Bonus Edition Vol. 47}}

The Legends World faced an invasion by evil [[Kreon]]s. They were quickly stopped by good Kreons and they all returned to their universe of Kre-O blocks. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Special Chapter|Special Chapter}} Seeking redemption and escape from the authorities, the [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] of [[2022]] came to the Legends World with [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 50|Bonus Edition Vol. 50}} [[White Leo]] had the same idea, but to use the Legends World's native to build a bestial army against the [[Laser Beast]]s that threatened to conquer [[Beast (planet)|Beast]] in the G1 World. He was followed by his rival [[Tigerburn]], but the warring beasts were forced back home. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 51|Bonus Edition Vol. 51}}

To assist the Legends World against future threats, the [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] of the 2030s were sent there. Desiring the power of Broadside's enormous transtector, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Trickdiamond]] followed. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 53|Bonus Edition Vol. 53}} To build up defenses against an expected return of [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], Ginrai went to the G1 World's [[G Nebula 89]] to upgrade his transtector and returned to the Legends World. Unbeknownst to him, he brings over [[White Lune]], sister of White Leo, as "delivery". {{storylink|TF Legends Late Xmas Present Chapter|Late Xmas Present Chapter}}

Pursued by the [[Concurrence]]-controlled [[Galactic Peace Alliance]] and its [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] came to the Legends World to throw them off. The Throttlebots nevertheless followed with Spike's impostor (in actuality [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]]) coming along. The impostor was foiled and sent back to the G1 World. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 54|Bonus Edition Vol. 54}} To investigate the Zamojin's hand in the Legends World, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] crossed over, only to run into Katsu Don. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 56|Bonus Edition Vol. 56}} Desiring to become a Headmaster, the bodiless [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] convinced [[Lunaclub]] and [[Moonheart]] to facilitate travel there, which they did. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 57|Bonus Edition Vol. 57}}

Working against the fake Spike Witwicky, the Autobot [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]] arrived in the Legends World to escape pursuit by "Spike" and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]. "Spike" was revealed as Old Snake in disguise and he returned to the G1 World. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 58|Bonus Edition Vol. 58}}

Seeking worlds to conquer, the [[Quintesson]]s (of times ancient compared to the Legends World immigrants) attempted to invade the Legends World, only to be sent back their way by [[Big Convoy|Big Fight]] and their former servant, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. As the Quintessons were from a time long before the actual creation of the Legends World, they investigated who they knew to be the universe's creators, the Zamojin, and sealed their region of space with a [[quadrant lock]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 59|Bonus Edition Vol. 59}} Seeking the proton energy that created the Legends World, the Decepticon Clones came to pilfer it. They discover that the Autobot Targetmaster partners have absorbed it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 61|Bonus Edition Vol. 61}}

[[File:Epiloge-Multiverse.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

After his multiple trips to the Legends World, Old Snake decided to use the full might of the Concurrence to conquer it so that they could use the planet's resources to fight against the Galactic Peace Alliance. Thanks to the efforts of G1 Megatron, the Concurrence were defeated and they fled back to the G1 World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 63|Bonus Edition Vol. 63}} Losing the war on Beast, Tigerburn returned to the Legends World in an effort to conquer it and transform its denizens into Laser Beasts, but was stopped by the visiting [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Alana]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 64|Bonus Edition Vol. 64}}

When the world came under attack by a Zamojin-controlled Windblade and the Targetmasters, Springer, Roadbuster, Whirl, Topspin, and Twin Twist came to help in its defense. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 65|Bonus Edition Vol. 65}} After using [[spirit energy|Shinchōkon]] to resurrect [[Jack (G1)|Jack]], Sixshot, now "Greatshot", returned with his new partner to the G1 World. After the Concurrence was defeated, Spike, Daniel, and Bumblebee also returned. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Greatshot)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

Putting his revenge in action, Devil Z pulled in Scorponok so that the two of them could reunite as a new "BlackZarak" and conquer all universes after consuming the Legends World. (Such a scenario happening was why the Zamojin wanted to destroy the Legends World.) Fortunately, Grand Maximus was able to come over and defeat BlackZarak. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Surviving, Scorponok decided to simply blow up the Legends World and established forces consisting of his loyal Decepticons, [[Majin Zarak]], and the Zamojin. They were fought against by everybody else and the Dimensional Patrol. As a final resort, Scorponok engineered the Targetmasters to create a planetary-sized explosion. {{Storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}} Scorponok's forces were defeated and Majin Zarak forced out of the universe, but Devil Z, having also survived, pushed the Targetmasters to continue with the explosion. Using the [[Drill Base]] to create portals all around the world, all living beings were evacuated to the G1 World as the Legends World was destroyed. Those who travelled to the Legends World were returned to their proper times. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two}}

After some turmoil, the Legends World was restored through the efforts of many and through the collection of the Zodiac, the last remaining soil of the Legends World, [[Energon Z]], the Zamojin's telepathy, and White Leo's [[MVP Weapon]]. Megatron, who had died in the interim, was resurrected and left the Legends World to its own devices after some time. Leo Prime, his job finished, also left for parts unknown. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}
{{--}}

=====''Deviations''=====
The multiverse contains an infinite number of quantum universes with every single possible outcome, including a reality where [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] did not die in the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
{{noteukonly}}
''[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] was tricked into blowing up what he thought was [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], twenty years before the Seeker was ''meant'' to die. He believed this meant he'd created an alternate timeline, and what he did in the past wouldn't affect the future of ''his'' reality.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Individuals displaced by [[time travel]] wound up in a bizarre [[limbo]] dimension, a black void populated by [[Limbo parasite|parasitic life-forms]] who fed on the emotions of their victims.'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}}

[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s minions [[Hook, Line, and Sinker]] travelled to an alternate timeline to fetch [[Galvatron II|that reality's Galvatron]], who'd ruled the bombed-out ruins of America ever since "his" Unicron had triumphed and destroyed Cybertron. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

=====''Regeneration One''=====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:RG1 93 rodimii.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Everyone stop arguing and listen to Rodimus-One!]]

When [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] returned to the [[Primus]] chamber with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], he had a vision of numerous multiversal versions of himself. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} Primus, using [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] as a vessel, sent Hot Rod on a journey through [[Zero Space]], the void that exists between realities. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} While the journey through Zero Space took him to three periods of his own timeline's past, the final stop was on a [[Junkion (planet)|planet of junk]] in [[Primax 490.0 Gamma|Galvatron II's home timeline]], where the Unicron-empowered Decepticon destroyed Hot Rod's counterpart, Rodimus Prime. Unobserved by the victorious Decepticons, Hot Rod recovered his counterpart's [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and returned to his own timeline, reborn as Rodimus Prime himself. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

However, "Primus" turned out to be the corrupted fragment of Matrix energy that had empowered the [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] more than two decades earlier. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} Rodimus had witnessed that this energy had survived the destruction of the Deathbringer, {{storylink|Less Than Zero}} and this "Dark Matrix creature", having gained sentience, had been manipulating events ever since. When Primus brought the Transformers on Earth back to Cybertron in order to confront Unicron {{storylink|The Void! (US)}}, he had inadvertently brought the creature back as well. It had hidden itself in the shadows, stirring up the [[Demon]]s in the aftermath of the conflict, and hoping to draw upon the chaos that followed the demise of Primus. But when the [[Last Autobot]] was activated and able to stabilize the planet, the creature found it could not thrive on the ensuing peace. It had manipulated [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] into restarting the war; it had reawakened Galvatron on Earth and brought him back to Cybertron; and it had affected events on [[Nebulos]], culminating in the possession of the original head of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and kidnapping [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] from Earth. And when it was ready to launch its endgame, it corrupted nearly every Transformer left on Cybertron, turning them all into [[shadow-leech]]es.

The creature was now using Spike, whom to it represented the "trinity"—a fusion of the worlds of Earth, Cybertron, and Nebulos (having undergone the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster process]])—as a focal point for the chaos energies generated on those worlds. The creature intended to use those energies to shatter the barriers of Zero Space and spread itself throughout the multiverse, so that it could create even more chaos.

[[File:Gas skunk blackarachnia jetstorm leobreaker starscream war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Rodimus Prime, using the [[Covenant of Primus]] to reenter Zero Space and bearing the [[Sword of Primus]], confronted the creature, who beset upon Rodimus three versions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]—his present self, alongside two past forms, all corrupted by the creature, although the present Optimus struggled to resist the corruption. The weakened dimensional barriers, however, allowed Rodimus Prime's multiversal counterparts to enter Zero Space and join the fray. As the other Rodimuses attacked the creature, Optimus regained his senses long enough to reveal what he'd learned of Primus's grand plan—that it would ultimately result in the creation of an optimum universe made up of the best elements of the other universes. Since the creature could not be destroyed, only contained, the only way to prevent it from corrupting the grand plan was to seal off their own universe forever. Using this knowledge, Rodimus was able to snap Spike out of his fugue, allowing him to break free. Rodimus then prevented the creature from escaping into the closing crack by sealing it with the Sword of Primus. With the creature trapped, Optimus, Rodimus, and Spike were returned to the Primus chamber, and the other Rodimuses returned to their home realities. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:HoD2-UniversalContinuum.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Conventional Cybertronian science held that parallel universes, such as those created through [[time travel]], did not exist. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue}} At some point, [[Micronus Prime]] abandoned his original reality and created his own personal dimension, the realm of [[Microspace]]. {{storylink|Informed}}

An extradimensional [[Elder God]], summoned to this universe by the writings of [[H.P. Lovecraft|Howard Lovecraft]], briefly awoke sometime in the 19th century and was subsequently defeated by [[Domitius Major]] in the guise of "Optimus Prime". {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

In the year [[2014]], [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] used a time machine to reach back through history to the moment time began in another universe, and used a time machine to siphon off its life energy from the moment of its creation to fulfill his grand scheme. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} This stillborn "[[Dead Universe]]" was somehow able to reach out to the reality that had originally created it: some six million years ago, [[Nova Prime]] and the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]]'' were drawn through a portal in the [[Benzuli Expanse]] that led to the Dead Universe. There, they were corrupted by the realm's immortal darkness; their original mission of exploration and conquest was twisted into a malevolent plot of "[[Expansion]]" meant to merge the two universes together. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} When Nova Prime, now "Nemesis Prime", and his minions met the Autobots in battle on [[Gorlam Prime]], their beachhead for their eventual invasion of the universe, Optimus Prime's forces triumphed and most of the invaders were banished back to the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:Infestation1-Multiverse.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Years later, [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]—one of the few architects of the Dead Universe invasion to escape this fate—stumbled across an anomalous mass of metal and frozen flesh in deep space. He and his followers brought the strange object on board, but soon realized that they'd accidentally loosed a horde of ravenous [[zombie]]s. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 1|Infestation #1}} Both the zombies and their undead leader [[Britt]] hailed from outside their universe: in her home timeline, she'd been corrupted into serving the dread [[Undermind]] in its pan-dimensional invasion, which spread to [[Ghostbusters|multiple]] [[Star Trek|divergent]] [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|universes]]. {{storylink|Infestation issue 1|Infestation #1}} Once they'd crash-landed on [[Earth]], Galvatron and his followers fought back, even recruiting some grudging Autobot assistance, {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 1|The Transformers: Infestation #1}} but Britt transformed into a living [[space bridge]] to send her horde back in time to devour pre-war Cybertron. However, Galvatron used [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'s remote mind-link to instruct [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] to sabotage the space bridge and send the zombies to the Dead Universe, where the Undermind would have nothing to feed upon. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 2|The Transformers: Infestation #2}} Once she returned to her native dimension, Britt threw off the Undermind's influence and banished it for good. {{storylink|Infestation issue 2|Infestation #2}}

As part of a plan to change history, [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] attempted to travel backwards in time in the hopes of changing Megatron's future and preventing the Great War entirely. However, his efforts created a dystopian alternate timeline in which the [[Functionist Council]] ruled Cybertron. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue}} Using a quantum duplicate of his [[time case]], the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' managed to prevent Brainstorm from killing Megatron and permanently overwriting history with this new series of events. As a result of [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]]'s tampering with the time case's anti-paradox locks, however, the would-be "new history" branched off into its own separate timeline, the "[[Functionist Universe]]", and Perceptor speculated that the event might've given rise to an infinite set of branching histories. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

After communing with the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] had her consciousness hurled through the multiverse—glimpsing various alternate versions of herself along the way—before entering [[Microspace]]. {{storylink|Informed}}

{{--}}

====''Hearts of Steel''====
[[File:Infestation2 issue1 eldergods.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Despite being trapped in a dimensional prison, the [[Elder God]]s had the power to reach out to sensitive beings. Among them was [[H. P. Lovecraft|Howard Lovecraft]], who channeled the Elder Gods' call into horror prose. Despite the clandestine organization [[Oblivion]] succeeding at killing Lovecraft before his art could threaten to allow the Elder Gods into the universe, his stories spread into popular culture. This collective imagination, with the help of [[Artillica]], let loose the Elder Gods. Free and unencumbered, they rampaged across [[Covert Vampiric Operations|one plane of existence]] along with {{w|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW Publishing)|infinite}} {{w|Dungeons & Dragons (IDW Publishing)|other}} [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|ones]] throughout the multiverse. {{Storylink|Infestation 2 issue 1|Infestation 2 #1}} One Elder God invaded a [[Hearts of Steel|universe]] in which the Transformers had awoken in the 19th century and forced the Autobots to reactivate Optimus Prime to meet the threat head-on. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}} {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 2|Infestation 2: The Transformers #2}}

[[Covert Vampiric Operations|CVO]] ended the threat of the Elder Gods by using Artillica and the [[Relic]] to seal the tear in their reality. {{Storylink|Infestation 2 issue 2|Infestation 2 #2}} {{storylink|The X-Files: Conspiracy: The Transformers|The X-Files: Conspiracy}}

{{IDW HOS}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
Trapped in the white-hot core of the Earth's [[Sun]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] tried to flee this dimension by tapping the power of his black hole heart to open a portal and escape into another reality to rebuild his strength. Megatron's body survived the trip, but not his spark: in [[Equestria|another dimension]], a group of confused [[Pony|ponies]] discovered his charred corpse. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

{{--}}

====''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''====
[[File:MazingerZvsTransformers-realities.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You got your Mazinger in my Transformers! You got your Transformers in my Mazinger!]]

While observing different realities, group of mysterious hooded figures including [[Go Nagai]] opened dimensional gates and sent a group of Autobots and Decepticons to the world of [[Mazinger Z]] for their amusement. {{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}
{{--}}

====''My Little Pony/Transformers''====
Rather than connecting two points in space, a malfunctioning [[space bridge|spacebridge]] attempted to reach out across dimensions—when its energies somehow overlapped with [[Queen Chrysalis]]'s [[magic]], it wound up transporting multiple Autobots and Decepticons to the land of [[Equestria]]. {{storylink|Transformation Is Magic}} Later, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] refined the technology and used it to create a deliberate cross-dimensional bridge between the two universes. {{storylink|The Magic of Cybertron}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
[[File:EarthriseEpisode5-SkyLynxfloating.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sorry, Jimbo, looks like you're going to the shadow realm.]]

In ancient times, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] banished the arrogant [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] into the Dead Universe when he laid claim to the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. After passing through that same universe in the present day and crash-landing on Earth, {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}} the shipwrecked Autobots and Decepticons encountered the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s: Cybertronains who had time-travelled back to Earth's past to prevent a dystopian future from ever coming to pass. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} Although the Maximals wondered if securing the AllSpark and changing history would consequentially erase them from the timeline, this was not the case, suggesting that this reality operates on a multiversal model of [[time travel]]. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 5}}

{{--}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:TestFlightII-unspace.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

When [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s experimental teleport harness malfunctioned, it wound up sending [[Jumpstream]] through [[unspace]] and stranded her on an alternate Cybertron where [[Exarchon]] had conquered the planet. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}} Although both Perceptor and Jumpstream assumed that they'd somehow crossed over into an alternate timeline, Perceptor soon realized that Jumpstream had actually travelled through ''time'', not ''space'', and had glimpsed a possible future of their own universe. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II}}

{{--}}

====''King Grimlock''====
In eons past, Optimus Prime visited the other-dimensional realm of [[Menonia]] and helped establish the [[Golden One]] as the land's new ruler. Many years later, when the Golden One had been corrupted by the power of his deity [[Soltron]], the citizens of [[Valerift]] used [[energon]] to bring him back to their dimension. It didn't go as planned, however, and they wound up summoning [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] instead. {{storylink|Grimlock the Rebel}}

===3H comics===
[[Image:TFUjailbreak.jpg|350px|thumb]]
Upon purification by the Matrix, the newly enlightened [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] evolved into new beings known as the [[Vok]]. Having been given a new purpose by [[Primus]], the Vok spread across the multiverse, seeding every plane of existence in preparation for the fulfillment of Primus's [[Grand Plan]]: The unification of all worlds balanced and organized into perfect harmony and synchronicity. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 3}}

As [[Windrazor (BW)|Windrazor]] was about to disappear due to the nullification of his timeline of origin, {{storylink|Terminus (issue)|Terminus}} [[Primus]] divinely intervened, preserved him from being nullified. Windrazor was then deposited in a new location to function as a "spirit guide" for other champions of Primus from various realities. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

[[Unicron]] abducted Transformers from the various universes in order to fight in gladiatorial combat. Consequently, Primus and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] resurrected [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] from the dead to lead [[Child of Primus|an army]] in the [[Universe War|multiversal war]] against Unicron. {{storylink|Abduction}} Optimus Primal conducted his opening salvo by traveling into the [[Cauldron]], and with the help of some abductees, initiating a mass jailbreak. Subsequently, Primal and the abductees returned to his native technorganic Cybertron, from which most of the abductees were sent back to their home universes. {{storylink|OTFCC Live-Action Drama}} {{storylink|Escape (Universe)|Escape}} {{storylink|Homecoming (Universe)|Homecoming}}

During the Universe War, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] built a device to counteract Unicron's attempts to abduct Transformers from other universes. Two attempts at deflection only partially succeeded, stranding the victims on an icy planetoid. The Children deployed a rescue team, but Unicron sent a team of [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minion]]s as well. Teaming up with the victims, the rescue team was able to drive off the Minions, and everyone was sent back to their proper eras and realities. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

After a long conflict rivaling the intensity of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 9|Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Optimus Primal's profile}} the Children of Primus emerged victorious when Unicron himself disappeared (as a result of the [[Unicron Singularity]]). {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

===Universe CD-ROM===
[[Unicron]] kidnapped Decepticons from various universes in order to assemble an army. Meanwhile, [[Primus]] recruited his own army of Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: Universe CD-ROM}}

===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:Armada17 spacebridges to other dimensions.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Cybertronian science had an understanding of the multiverse and parallel realities. One million years before the war, [[Astroscope]] and the [[Space Team]] experimented with dimensional travel, but they proved unable to breach the dimensional barriers and contact one of these other timelines. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}}

As he slowly devoured his way across the multiverse, Unicron developed a grisly habit of sending a fatally wounded [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] from one universe to the next, a kind of warning to its inhabitants that he'd soon arrive. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}} To aid his endless quest, Unicron assembled a legion of five "[[Herald of Unicron|heralds]]" plucked from different realities, who would prepare new dimensions for his arrival. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}}

As Unicron prepared to devour [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|the next reality]], the [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] escaped his universe in an experimetal [[null-reality pod]] with the [[Mini-Con Matrix]] and hoping to stop Unicron from devouring yet another reality. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} The heralds of Unicron were tasked with defeating Cybertronian leadership and centers of power and capture the Mini-Con Matrix. They used the Decepticons' [[space bridge]] network to open portals to other realities in order to initiate "phase two" of Unicron's plan, but were ultimately defeated one by one. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}} As a result, Unicron encountered a unified alliance of Autobots, Decepticons, and Mini-Cons, who defeated him with the help of the Mini-Con Matrix. {{storylink|The End (Armada)|The End}}

{{--}}

====Force of Habit====
At the onset of the search for the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, alternate universes were only considered theoretical by Autobot scientists. The Singularity's uniquely strange readings, however, prompted some scientists to worry that the Singularity could spread to the hypothetical alternate universes. {{storylink|Force of Habit}}

====Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity====
[[File:Cyb ep43 planet x vs gigantion.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

When Megatron recklessly released Decepticon-flavored energon from Unicron's body, it interacted with the Autobot-flavored energon from Unicron's head. The resultant catastrophic reaction opened a [[Rift|rift in space]], a tear in the fabric of space which led to an alternate dimension. {{storylink|Ripped Up Space}} Within the [[Alpha Q's universe|new universe]], [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] released the seeds of the many planets destroyed by Unicron and used [[energon]] to restore them. {{storylink|Protection}}

After his return, [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] utilized another pocket dimension known as the [[fire dimension]] as his headquarters. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}}

In an alternate dimension, the denizens of the crime-ruled [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] learned that all life in their universe was slowly dying out. Utilizing their mastery of science, they discovered the planet [[Gigantion]] in another, more healthy dimension. Plotting to make Gigantion their new homeworld, Planet X's residents used a space warp to pull it into their own dimension and commenced a full-scale invasion. Unfortunately, Gigantion's residents fought back, utilizing the power of their [[Cyber Planet Key]] to successfully repel the invaders. The residents of Planet X ultimately proved to be their own undoing as they unleashed their ultimate weapon on Gigantion, only for the superweapon to backfire and blow their homeworld up. {{storylink|Challenge}} Despite this fact, the survivors of Planet X swore vengeance against Gigantion by any means necessary. [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]], and [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] were among those who traversed space for a way to destroy Gigantion, eventually entering into the service of the planet destroyer [[Unicron]] in exchange for Gigantion's assured destruction. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 9|''Cybertron'' Soundwave's profile}}

{{note|The ''Cybertron'' cartoon never clarified whether the native dimension of Planet X was a parallel universe of its own or simply a pocket dimension such as the fire dimension.}}

[[File:Cyb ep38 warp.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Centuries later, the Autobots of Cybertron utilized the space warp in the [[Skeleton Nebula]] to travel to the dimension where Gigantion had been transported to, seeking the Cyber Planet Key to end the [[Unicron Singularity]] crisis. {{storylink|Warp}} After securing the key, the Autobots built an enhanced [[space bridge]] to get them home again, though the difficulties of bending spacetime to get back cost [[Vector Prime]] his life. {{storylink|Guardian (episode)|Guardian}}

Sideways and Soundwave (and Laserbeak) later tried to make their own grab for the Cyber Planet Keys, but they were consumed in a huge reality-bending explosion from a clash between [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Showdown (Cybertron)|Showdown}} This turned out to be good for them, though, as when they were last seen, they had apparently found their way to a dimension containing an intact version of their homeworld! {{storylink|Beginning}}
{{--}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
A group of dimensionally-displaced Maximals and Predacons waged some version of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] in Alpha Q's universe, until the Alternity got involved to avert a catastrophic spacetime crash. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/03}}
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:InTheBeginning-VectorPrime.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"I do not, cannot, ''will'' not interfere (except in the various cases when I do.)"]]
The ''Transformers'' multiverse is but a fragment of the greater [[Omniverse]], an infinite set that contains every conceivable reality imaginable. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/21}} Between the multiverse and the omniverse lies the vaguely-defined "[[Megaverse]]", which encompasses both the primary ''Transformers'' multiverse and tangentially-connected realities that include [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]], the [[Animorphs]], and [[M.A.S.K.]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/11}} These are not clear-cut boundaries, however; different realities within the ''Transformers'' multiverse, such as [[Primax 984.0 Gamma]] or [[Lukas 577.25 Beta]], overlap with different omniversal dimensions. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/21}}

When and how the multiverse came into being is not clear, and [[Vector Prime]] has speculated that its true history may be unknowable—indeed, it might have retroactively appeared after [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|one iteration of Perceptor]] tampered with a duplicate of [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]]'s [[time case]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/27}} More common theories include the original [[Big Bang (event)|Big Bang]] spawning multiple pocket universes which then budded off to form their own full-fledged realities, [[The One]]'s creation of both Primus and Unicron causing multiple dimensional schisms, or the idea that the multiverse always existed in its present state, and that new realities only form when a [[Forest Lee|sufficiently powerful outside observer]] identifies and classifies them. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/25}} The [[Primax]] universal cluster is the largest and oldest of the group, which has led Vector Prime to speculate that it might contain the original universe from which all other realities spring from, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/11/01}} although the discovery of the [[Cymond]] cluster on the very edge of the multiverse suggests that it might be the "common ancestor" of all ''Transformers'' realities. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/15}}

[[File:BalancingActPart2-InfiniteCybertrons.jpg|thumb|left|300px|For in that instant a multiverse was born. A multiverse of worlds vibrating and replicating... and a multiverse that should have been one, become many.]]

A higher-dimensional phenomenon known as "[[trans-dimensional harmonic resonance]]" means that certain concepts, characters, and ideas repeat throughout the multiverse: in this way do most realities feature some version of Optimus, Megatron, and a war between their respective factions. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/24}} This kind of pattern may have something to do with how the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] acts as the "stable axis of the multiverse"; every iteration of the planet is connected on an infinite curve,{{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 22/06/2015}} and the destruction of the planet in any one reality threatens the inherent stability of that entire universe. The cascading ripple effect caused by one Cybertron's destruction can potentially jeopardize multiple timelines, as was the case when [[Scorponok (G1)|MegaZarak]] destroyed the Cybertron of [[G1 World|Primax 785.06 Alpha]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 22/06/2015}} {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}} When a reality is destroyed, vicious creatures emerge from the [[unspace|swirling void]] sandwiched between dimensions to consume whatever remains. The dreaded [[Hytherion]], who once drove [[Logos Prime]] mad, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/14}} is the most infamous of these beings, other notorious entities include [[House (entity)|House]], the [[Teeth With No Eyes]], the [[Langolier]]s, the [[Beforite]]s, the [[After All]]s, the [[Antevishnum]], the [[Abbadontus Hunger]], and the [[Ravagers of Time]]. Although these creatures are rightly feared for their malevolence and destructive potential, they play an important role in maintaining the overall health and stability of the multiverse by "pruning" damaged universes from the overall fabric of space-time. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/08/16}} Worse still were the cruel and inscrutable [[Elder God]]s, extra-dimensional beings who dwarfed even Primus and Unicron in power. {{Storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 5|Ramjet's profile in Club magazine #5}}

As the guardian of time, [[Vector Prime]] patrolled the multiverse for eons, and intervened when needed to preserve its essential stability; {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}} on one occasion, he and his [[Time Warrior (AVP)|Time Warriors]]s contended with [[Mogahn the Mass]], who absorbed entire star systems until Vector and his followers defeated him in a reality-spanning battle. {storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/12}} While Primus and Unicron slumbered, Vector, [[Nexus Prime]], [[Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|Alpha Trion]], and [[Solus Prime]] made the decision to split Nexus Prime into five pieces to conceal the location of the five fragments of Prima's [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword, a weapon that could destroy star systems, from their evil brother [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]. Using the blade of the Star Saber, Nexus Prime was cut into five other robots: [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]], and [[Heatwave (Timelines)|Heatwave]], who were subsequently scattered across the multiverse and lost to the ages. {{Storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

[[File:ProcessingRR.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

The higher-dimensional geography of the multiverse is loosely organized around the small [[Nexus]] universal cluster; as a result, dimensional travellers have a higher-than ordinary chance of ending up in the city of [[Axiom Nexus]] in universe [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 05/14/2015}} At first, the native [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s assumed these travelers to be mere extraplanetary travelers and gave them passage off-planet. However, the natives of Cybertron soon realized that these travelers were in fact from another Cybertron(s). With the existence of a multiverse of other Cybertrons confirmed, the TransTechs realized the pettiness of their internal disputes and began focusing on other universes. The TransTechs became the watchers of the multiverse, welcoming travelers from the various universes in the city of [[Axiom Nexus]] and sifting [[unspace|transwarp]] for beings who would otherwise die in mundane accidents involving transwarp-based transportation. Spearheaded by the efforts of [[Rhinox (TransTech)|Rhinox]], [[Prowl (TransTech)|Prowl]], and [[Silverbolt (TransTech)|Silverbolt]], they compiled an extensive, continually expanding catalog of the [[universal stream]]s, both existent and no longer existent. {{storylink|Withered Hope}} {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}}

Some universal clusters, like [[Xobitor]] and [[Cymond]], are considered "distant", and lie on the transitional boundary between the edge of the multiverse and the wider Megaverse. It is very rare, although not entirely unheard of, for travellers from these distant realities to end up in Axiom Nexus. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/06/29}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/19}} Other universal clusters with their own unique cosmology include the [[Malgus]] cluster, which lacks multiversal singularities due to the effects of the "the "non-linear WY-att pulse function", {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/22}} and the [[Lukas]] cluster, which overlaps with [[Star Wars (franchise)|other realities in the Omniverse]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/13}}

[[File:BalancingAct-UnicronSingularity.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Eventually, however, the "war of balance" between Primus and Unicron began again when the [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] of [[Primax 984.0 Gamma|one particular reality]] accidentally blasted Primus as he slumbered. His "cosmic scream" reverberated across the multiverse, allowing Unicron to find Primus and begin his battle against his ancient foe anew. Although the Cybertronians weakened Unicron when he attacked one such universe, the wounded but still living god kickstarted the dimension-spanning [[Universe War]] as he abducted beings from across the multiverse in a bid to restore his physical form. {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}}

Beyond the TransTech, other prominent multiversal guardians include the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]] and the Autobots of [[Cloud World]]; although they did not take a direct role in the Universe War, they worked in a behind-the-scenes capacity to defend stricken realities from the Hytherion. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/08}} The [[Unicron Singularity]] created by Unicron's destruction briefly posed an existential threat to the multiverse: its pull was so strong that even alternate Unicrons were drawn into it. The self-replicating singularity spread across many universes, merged their histories into a single messy timeline, and eventually threatened the entire multiverse. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], recently arrived on this Cybertron from the [[Universe War]], revealed that that conflict had abruptly ended when Unicron was destroyed as a result of the Singularity's effects spreading throughout the multiverse. Vector Prime understood that this indicated the threat posed by the black hole was more urgent than the inhabitants of one universe might be able to perceive. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}} Fortunately, the local Autobots of were able to restore Primus to power so that he could close the Singularity. {{storylink|Revelations Part 6}}

One particular universe would go onto enjoy a particularly fraught history: when universal stream [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]] branched off from [[Primax 984.0 Gamma|its parent timeline]], this new universe possessed a nearly identical frequency to [[Primax 984.0 Gamma|a completely unrelated timeline]]. After first destroying [[Primax 1291.0 Zeta|another tangent universe]], Primax 207.0 Espilson then began "overwriting" this sister universe. {{storylink|Withered Hope}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|The Complete AllSpark Almanac}} At first, the native [[GoBot]]s who inhabited this dimension sent a group of agents to Primax 207.0 Epsilon to try and intervene; they first wound up in Axiom Nexus by accident, {{storylink|Withered Hope}} and only [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]] eventually made it to their intended destination. When he failed in his mission, however, {{storylink|Games of Deception}} the GoBots put a contingency plan into play and coordinated a vast [[Diaspora|multiversal evacuation]] in which teams of dimension-hopping GoBots infiltrated other realities and posed as native Cybertronians. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/14}} As a result of repeated dimensional travel, however, some refugees like [[Crasher (GoBots)|Crasher]] were refracted and duplicated across multiple simultaneous universes. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/17}}

[[File:InvasionPrologue-Primes.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

In this same universe, the native [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] encountered [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]] and [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], who'd been drawn together on an elaborate multiversal quest. Together, the three encountered [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], who'd been sequestered in this universe and protected by the [[Caretaker]]. With the multiverse spiralling into entropy, the Caretaker supercomputer sent the group on to meet with another component of Nexus Prime: while Skyfall, Breakaway, and Landquake travelled on to Axiom Nexus, {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}} Cliffjumper wound up stranded in a [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|bizarre mirror universe]]. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}} After all of his components reformed into Nexus Prime, he and the heroic Quintesson [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]] spent some time travelling the multiverse in search of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}} Some years later, a group of evil Autobots from that same mirror universe invaded Primax 207.0 Epsilon and used [[Rarified Energon]] to destroy it. The Transformers on Earth wound up teleporting the entire planet into the negative-polarity universe, {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}} while all of the humans on the planet wound up shunted onto the Earth of [[Of Masters and Mayhem|a different alternate reality]] where [[Thunder Mayhem|an out-of-control Decepticon combiner]] had prematurely ended the Cybertronian war. {{storylink|Assembly (OMAM)|Assembly}}

The destruction of this universe proved a double-edged sword: thanks in part to the efforts of [[Lio Convoy]], who'd passed through the dimension and helped the remaining inhabitants of that universe buy some more time, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/14}} {{storylink|Sunrise}} the Cataclysm was ultimately forestalled. However, the destruction of that same reality caused entire dimensions to fold together or simply be ripped apart. To address the crisis, TransTech [[Optimus Prime (TransTech)|Optimus Prime]] broke the standard rules of [[Axiom Nexus]] and assembled the [[Convoy (group)|Convoy]]. {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}} The Convoy's formation was also necessitated by the defeat of the [[Hytherion]] by the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]], as there was no longer a beast of time to consume weakened and damaged universes. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}} One of the Convoy's first actions was to deploy [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] to the past of [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon]] to protect the [[Origin Matrix]]. {{storylink|Invasion: Epilogue}}

[[File:AnotherLight-Thirteen.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

For a long period of time, an impenetrable "quantum membrane" isolated the [[Uniend]] universal cluster from the rest of the multiverse until the passage of the [[Dark Spark]] from that reality to the [[Tyran]] cluster revealed its existence to the inhabitants of Axiom Nexus. Because of this, multiversal singularities like Vector Prime began absorbing the memories and traits of their Uniend counterparts. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/18}} However, this process would prove short-lived: by the time that a reunified Nexus Prime reunited the [[Origin Matrix]], reassembled the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], and seized the [[Terminus Blade]] from [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|its previous owner]], it was clear that the fabric of the multiverse had been irreparably damaged, {{storylink|Restoration}} and the defeat of the Hytherion at the hands of the Alternity left no natural mechanism to deal with dead and dying realities. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/08}}

In a last-ditch attempt to stabilize spacetime, Nexus Prime brought together the relics he'd gathered at a key point in interdimensional space and used them to rewrite the fabric of reality: his attempt to "seal the doorways between universes" would have a unique effect on [[Multiversal singularity|multiversal singularities]] like himself, and he would be forever altered by his actions. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}} From this point on, the concept of multiversal singularies ceased to exist and multiversal travel was rendered much harder, effectively stranding all of the many Offworlders in Axiom Nexus with no way to return home. The TransTech dubbed this phenomenon "the [[Shroud]]", and its effects proved retroactive—multiversal singularities had ''never'' existed, and each universe could now contain a new version of Primus, Unicron, or the Thirteen or none at all. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

[[File:EpilogueTwo-NegativeMultiverse.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

While trying to recalibrate their monitoring arrays to adjust to the new reality they faced, Rhinox and Vector Prime identified nine specific universes as "pillar realities", streams with an unusually high number of branching points and quantum echoes: [[Primax 984.0 Gamma]], [[Primax 984.17 Alpha]], [[Primax 496.22 Alpha]], [[Viron 901.8 Alpha]], [[Aurex 802.23 Alpha]], [[Primax 1005.19 Gamma]], [[Tyran 707.04 Delta]], [[Malgus 1207.26 Alpha]], and [[Uniend 911.05 Alpha]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/11/05}}

Later that year, fear spread across Axiom Nexus when it looked like the entire multiverse had been destroyed. As it turned out, [[Waspinator (TransTech)|Waspinator]] had merely misinterpreted the sight of Rhinox shutting down some now-obsolete monitoring equipment in the wake of the Shroud and had phoned in a panicked tip. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/12/31}} The creation of the Shroud had a final, unexpected consequence: in a negative-polarity Axiom Nexus, [[Rhinox (SG TransTech)|Rhinox]] and [[Airazor (SG TransTech)|Airazor]] successfully discovered an entire, previously hidden, negative multiverse that corresponded to the positive-polarity multiverse. {{storylink|Epilogue Two}}

{{--}}

===''Animated''===
[[Image:Blackarachnia_Venus_Mag_by_BillForster.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
The destruction of [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]] left a quantum vacuum that [[Primax 512.5 Gamma]] went on to occupy. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|Ask Vector Prime, The Complete AllSpark Almanac}} [[Tyran]] universes undergo a particularly high rate of divergence, perhaps due to the malign influence of [[The Fallen]], whose evil spans multiple dimensions. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|Ask Vector Prime, The Complete AllSpark Almanac}}

A trans-dimensional [[Vector Prime]] observed some of the events in the [[Transformers Animated (comic)|''Transformers Animated'' comic]] and identified that they took place in the same reality as the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|cartoon]]: universal stream [[Malgus 1207.26 Alpha]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}} A time-traveller from the distant future named [[Natasha Pyraniac]] interfered with the timestream, and Vector Prime explained that as a result outside observers would notice minor changes in that universe's history. Multiple iterations of [[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]] have been known to hop dimensions; {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|Ask Vector Prime, The Complete AllSpark Almanac}} according to the unreliable testimony of one Sideways, he had [[Sideways (Animated)|previously visited this universe]] and escaped to the Tyran cluster by using a black hole. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Sideways, 8/7/2015}}

''[[Venus (magazine)|Venus]]'' was a trans-dimensional magazine, {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}} while ''[[ALTernity Today]]'' covered newsworthy events from across the multiverse. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} [[Jim Sorenson (Animated)|Jim Sorenson]] and [[Bill Forster (Animated)|Bill Forster]] traveled from their home universal stream of [[Quadwal -3760.925 Theta]] where they wrote the ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|AllSpark Almanac]]''. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}
{{--}}

===Unit:E===
[[File:UnitE-multiverse.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

The world of the Transformers was just one universe in a multiverse of limitless possibilities. (Other possibilities included [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]], [[M.A.S.K.]], [[Jem]], and {{w|Stretch Armstrong|a couple}} [[Micronauts (franchise)|other guys]] [[Action Man|you]] {{w|Drizzt Do'Urden|might}} {{w|Candy Land|know}}.) The mysterious organization known as "Unit: E" operated in the "slipstream" beyond the spacetime continuum and used this vantage point to explore and protect different worlds. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}
{{--}}

===''Cloud''===
At the beginning of all time and space, the "Spacetime World" came into being in a [[Big Bang (event)|massive explosion]]. Seeking a means of maintaining the integrity of the many fractal dimensions composing this multiverse that would come to be known as "Spacetimes," the [[Creator of Life]] made a universe, "[[Cloud World]]" full of machines designed to maintain the multiversal fabric, and dispatched to it an emissary named [[SARA]] to guide them. In time, the robots of Cloud World evolved into [[Transformer|sapient super-robot lifeforms]], complete with transformation abilities. The Transformers of the Cloud World cherished SARA and embraced the task the Creator asked of them using [[Dimension Gate]]s created by SARA. In addition to their other duties they gathered surplus energy from a myriad of sources in different universes for SARA so that she might continue to maintain Cloud World's integrity. In time, these Transformers came to be known as the [[Autobot#Cloud|Spacetime Police]]. Unsurprisingly, the people of Cloud World regarded SARA as holy and their rulers saw that she was kept under strict guard. {{storylink|Prologue}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
[[File:AngryBirdsTransformers1-quantumtunnel.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

During a battle in space between the Autobots and Decepticons, the [[AllSpark]] briefly tumbled into a [[unspace|quantum tunnel]] into another universe populated by angry birds and mischievous pigs. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers issue 1|Angry Birds Transformers #1}} Eventually, however, the transformed "Autobirds" sent the AllSpark back through the tunnel from whence it had came, and accidentally sent one of the [[Minion Pig]]s to this [[Generation 1 continuity family|alternate universe]]. {{storylink|Hard Boiled}}

{{--}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''Portal''====
{{stub|[[Transformers: Portal]]}}

===''Go-Bots'' comic===
[[File:GoBots5-Multiverse.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

After assuming leadership over the [[GoBot|Go-Bots]], [[Road Ranger]] announced that they would create a [[Transformer|new race of Go-Bots]], who would populate [[Cybertron (planet)|copies of their metal homeworld]] across the entire multiverse. {{storylink|Go-Bots issue 5|Go-Bots #5}}

{{--}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:TheScientist-AlternateSoundwaves.jpg|thumb|left|300px|This place is a real who's-who of who's you and me.]]
The [[Quintesson]]s were a trans-dimensional race of beings who used their [[multiverse drive]] technology to travel across infinity and assimilate beings native to that timeline into new [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judges]], who would pass judgement on individual universes. Realities that did not pass judgement were destroyed with vast quantities of lethal [[unspace]], which collapsed realities from within. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe I}} The Quintesson [[Scientist (Cyberverse)|Scientist]] developed a hobby of abducting different iterations of [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] from the many doomed realities he'd destroyed. {{storylink|The Scientist}}

After the [[Ark (Cyberverse)|''Ark'']] wound up stranded in [[unspace]], the Autobots encountered multiple versions of themselves from other realities who had all met the same fate, including a crew of Autobots from a reality where [[Rack'n'Ruin (Cyberverse)|Rack'n'Ruin]] led the Autobots. [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] and his alternate-universe counterpart theorized that unspace must be the meeting place of the multiverse. {{storylink|The Crossroads}}

During the Quintesson invasion of Cybertron, [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] and [[Dead End (Cyberverse)|Dead End]] stole the multiverse drive and travelled to other realities. {{storylink|The Judge (episode)|The Judge}} Their journey gave Megatron the ability to channel exotic energy, {{storylink|The End Of The Universe IV}} before he landed in a reality where he'd won the [[Great War (Cyberverse)|Great War]] and stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from his [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|that universe's Megatron]]. {{storylink|Silent Strike}} Along with his [[Decepticon supersoldier]]s, that alternate Megatron crossed over to the primary universe to reclaim his Matrix only to be defeated and left paralyzed. Eager for vengeance on his old master, [[Astrotrain (Cyberverse)|Astrotrain]] took the alternate Megatron within him and announced his intention to keep him trapped forever. {{storylink|The Other One}} After Megatron X perished, the remaining Decepticon supersoldiers invaded the dimension that they'd once imperiled, but eventually laid down their arms after the death of their leader [[Tarn (Cyberverse)|Tarn]]. {{storylink|The Perfect Decepticon}}
{{--}}
===''Legacy''===
{{stub|TakaraTomy toy bios}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''DreamMix TV World Fighters''===
To boost the ratings of the ''[[World Fighters]]'' TV show, [[Mujoe]] and [[Haruna]] invited beings from several different worlds, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], to compete on the show. {{storylink|DreamMix TV World Fighters}}

===''Transformers Battle Universe''===
At the edge of time, the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] summoned warriors from [[Generation 1 continuity family|multiple]] [[Movie continuity family|different]] [[Animated continuity family|realities]] to choose a new host. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
[[File:RiseOfTheDarkSpark-G1OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

In [[Aligned continuity family|one universe]], the Autobots battled to keep the malevolent [[Dark Spark]], a trans-dimensional artifact of pure malice, out of [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s hands. The subsequent battle blasted the Dark Spark into [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|another universe]], where the bounty hunter [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] briefly seized it. However, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|that universe's Optimus Prime]] was able to keep Lockdown occupied long enough for [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] to remove the Dark Spark, and Prime subsequently used the Matrix to send the Dark Spark through time and space into [[Generation 1 continuity family|yet another universe]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{gamestub|[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]}}

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
A spatial warp field pulled [[Marissa Faireborn]] and the Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] crash-landed on an [[New Quintessa|unknown planet]] in another universe, where they encountered multiple Autobots and Decepticons from [[Live-action film series|another reality]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}

===''Transformers: Battlegrounds''===
Upon using an unstable [[space bridge|spacebridge]], [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] warned them that the passage could strand them in unspace, a nexus point where multiple timelines collided, and excitedly theorized about the existence of other universes before [[Arcee (Cyberverse)|Arcee]] reined him in. {{storylink|Transformers: Battlegrounds}}

==Notes==
*When originally developing what would become the [[Aligned continuity family]], [[Aaron Archer]] and [[Rik Alvarez]] suggested that it was entirely separate from the rest of the ''Transformers'' multiverse.<ref name="allspark2011botcon">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=79726 AllSpark.com live transcript of Archer and Alvarez's 2011 BotCon panel]</ref> When asked about [[The Fallen]] and how his status as a [[multiversal singularity]] would relate to the new fiction, Hasbro replied "anything you know from past generations of the brand may or may not be factual in the new continuity".<ref name="fallen">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=74182&view=findpost&p=1675011 Allspark.com Hasbro Q&A, Nov. 2010]</ref> Notably, its version of the [[Thirteen]] included characters like [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], choices that were largely irreconcilable with the lore that [[Fun Publications]] had previously laid out. Eventually, however, this conceit would be quietly dropped: the profile cards for Aligned [[Slipstream (WFC)#TransTech|Slipstream]]'s [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service|TFSS]] toy and the online comic "[[Timeless]]" involved the cast of ''TransTech'' glimpsing events from the Aligned universe. After multiple creative shakeups and a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|new direction]] for the Aligned continuity as a whole, the ''[[Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|Complete AllSpark Almanac]]'' and [[Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter]] confirmed that Aligned took place in the "[[Uniend]]" universal cluster; that same year, any and all singularity-related discrepancies were later handwaved away via the introduction of the [[Shroud]].
*2011's ''[[Infestation (IDW)|Infestation]]'' crossover event featured [[Britt]] invading and corrupting four separate universes: ''[[2005 IDW continuity|Transformers]]'', ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'', ''[[Star Trek]]'', and ''[[Ghostbusters]]''. Just five years later, however, IDW's "[[Hasbro Universe]]" initiative retconned both ''Transformers'' and ''G.I. Joe'' together by revealing that they'd always taken place in the same reality, meaning that Britt attacked the same universe twice. Less than a year later, ''[[Revolutionaries]]'' [[Strange Visitors|#5]] established that events identical to "[[Infestation 2]]" had also played out in the past of IDW's primary ''Transformers'' timeline—meaning that the [[Elder God]]s simultaneously attacked two nigh-identical realities.
*A dropped plotline in ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets the Eye]]'' would've featured the original [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] travelling the multiverse, searching for a way to return to his original timeline. At some point, he would've jumped into the world of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK comic]] in the midst of the "[[Target: 2006]]" storyline and encountered that reality's [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]].<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/james-roberts-ama-mtmte-ll-questions-answered-transcript.1164603/ Transcription of 30 November 2018 James Roberts Q&A on Instagram]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Tagen'uchū''' (多元宇宙), '''multiverse''' (マルチバース ''maruchibāsu''), '''Multi-Verse of Eternity''' (無限の世界 ''Mugen no Sekai'')<ref>[[World of the Transformers]]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Cyberverse (2018)]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Regeneration One]]
[[Category:TransTech]]
[[Category:Unicron Trilogy]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]
[[Category:Universes]]

Multiverse

2023-06-11T15:54:50Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Timelines */

{{featured}}

[[File:TransformersCollisionCourse-multiverse.jpg|thumb|right|300px|One encouraging thing the Guide does have to say on the subject of parallel universes is that you don't stand the remotest chance of understanding it. You can therefore say "What?" and "Eh?" and even go cross-eyed and start to blither if you like without any fear of making a fool of yourself.]]

The '''multiverse''', aka the '''Universal Continuum''', the '''Multi-Verse of Eternity''', the '''Cybertronian Multiverse''', or the '''Spacetime World''' (時空界 ''Jikūkai''), is the overall collection of [[Continuity|universes and timelines]] related to the [[Transformer]]s and their adventures. The multiverse consists of a very large number of universes, and millions of them have been classified and categorized as [[universal stream]]s. Between these streams, outside of time and space, exists the interdimensional void of [[unspace]]. Many, but not all, realities within the multiverse can be characterized by the presence of shapeshifting mechanoid lifeforms—most often the Cybertronians themselves, but also [[Robotix]], [[Waruder]]s, [[Planicron]]s, [[GoBot]]s, or [[Go-Bot (species)|Go-Bot]]s—and the existence of either the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] or [[Skalorr|some]] [[Gobotron|suitable]] [[Botropolis|analogue]].

Although some have theorized that the prevalence of Cybertron across the dimensions means that it acts as a kind of "stable axis" upon which the entire multiverse spins, many individual Cybertrons and their inhabitants might never know that they exist on a larger continuum; on a cosmic scale, travel between individual universes is comparatively rare, and often accidental. However, there exist certain groups and individuals dedicated to monitoring, moving between, and/or protecting the many worlds of the multiverse, including [[Vector Prime]], the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]] and their successors the [[Planicron|Flaternity]], the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTechs]], and the [[Autobot#Cloud|Spacetime Police]] of [[Cloud World]]. There are also others who are a threat to the multiverse including [[Unicron]], [[The Fallen]], the [[Megatron Aggregate]], the [[Elder God]]s, the [[Quintesson#Cyberverse cartoon|Quintessons]], and [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] of the Cloud World.

Beyond the multiverse lies the [[Megaverse]], a larger collection of universes primarily unrelated to but still thinly connected to the Transformers, and beyond that, the [[Omniverse]], which contains all the many myriad realities that exist across infinity.

{{bigquote|The Multiverse is indeed a complicated and wonderful place, is it not? The moment you start to believe you understand its grand celestial mechanics, a new exception gives you cause for pause.|[[Vector Prime]]|[[Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/05]]}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:Nyc-alternate-future1.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

The idea of parallel worlds, alternate dimensions, and different realities is older than the science-fiction genre itself, although the term "multiverse" was not used to describe the idea of multiple simultaneous realities until 1963. As a broad science-fiction pastiche, it should come as no surprise that the ''Transformers'' franchise would touch on the idea: while the third season of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'' cartoon]] featured a brief jaunt to a strange "[[negative universe]]", it would be the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] that hewed closer to what was to come when its [[Rhythms of Darkness!|67th issue]] spotlighted a dystopian "possible future" where [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] ruled supreme and ended with [[Hook, Line, and Sinker|Unicron's minions]] dragging Galvatron back to the primary timeline. From day one, the cartoon and comic book were never meant to overlap; they diverged almost immediately by adding or killing off characters as needed while ancillary media like storybooks and coloring books freely mixed and matched characters at will: today, we refer to these strange little offshoots as "[[micro-continuity|micro-continuities]]". Early fans divided these two primary timelines into the "Marvel" or "Sunbow" universes; at this point in time, of course, all of the ''Transformers'' fiction took place in what would later become the "[[Generation 1 continuity family]]"—although 1996's ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' featured an entirely new cast of [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, it soon became clear that they hailed from another such "possible future" and that their timeline had experienced a version of the classic Generation 1 storyline in their past.

[[File:Universe1afull.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

After the conclusion of the "[[Beast Era]]" in 2000, Hasbro returned to basics by porting the Japanese ''Car Robots'' anime and redubbing it into ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' to become the brand's first complete reboot. Two years later, ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' upped the ante by taking a page from the early days of the brand: a [[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|cartoon]], a [[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|mutually irreconcilable comic book]], plus the usual swathe of books, video games, and mini-comics all set in their own little continuities brought the number of major continuities up to seven. In 2002, when developing what would become ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'', [[Aaron Archer]] proposed a franchise known as ''[[Transformers: Super Cross|Super Cross]]'', which would've featured a damaged [[Unicron]] kidnapping heroes and villains from many different realities, including ''Armada'', ''Beast Wars'', ''Robots in Disguise'', and "Generation 1", in a bid to restore his damaged body.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3687399744633791&id=247519665288500&m_entstream_source=permalink ''Super Cross'' pitch binder]</ref> Parts of the scrapped ''Super Cross'' backstory evolved into 2003's ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' storyline; this first true exploration of the "multiverse" concept expanded the concept to include [[Shell Game|several entirely]] [[Transformers: Universe CD-ROM|new realities]]. Around the same time, author [[Simon Furman]] penned the "[[Worlds Collide]]" storyline in Dreamwave's ''Armada'' comic book, which featured "Generation 1" Galvatron and a group of Decepticons jumping realities to serve as Unicron's heralds. Indeed, Unicron would play a key role in the multiverse meta-lore to come: around the same time as ''Universe'', multiple Furman works established that certain key figures in the ''Transformers'' mythos, most prominently Unicron and his benevolent opposite [[Primus]], were unique beings who transcended dimensional barriers and could exist or travel to multiple timelines simultaneously. Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee]] extrapolated on Furman's work, extended the concept to encompass [[Vector Prime]], [[The Fallen]], and the rest of the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and coined the term "[[multiversal singularity]]" to describe this phenomenon.

Shortly after [[IDW Publishing]] brought Simon Furman on to develop a pitch for their then-newly acquired ''Transformers'' license in 2005, he originally proposed a crossover story that would've brought together the casts of both ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' and [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] in response to a Unicron-based threat and an "omniverse in chaos". Evidently, IDW turned down the pitch, and Furman wound up writing the ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]'' miniseries instead.<ref>''Transformers, a New Direction'', Simon Furman's Transformers proposal printed in [[The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman|The Best of Simon Furman]]</ref>

[[File:Axiomnexusgonetoofar.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

It would take another few years before the multiverse concept returned to the forefront: in early [[2008]], [[BotCon]] licensee [[Fun Publications]] introduced the ''[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]'' setting as a means of exploring the increasingly vast ''Transformers'' multiverse. Co-opting its name and cast from Hasbro's [[Transtech|aborted ''Beast Machines'' sequel]], the ''TransTech'' prose stories and comic books introduced the hyper-advanced city of [[Axiom Nexus]], inhabited by both highly evolved "[[Transcendent Technomorph]]s" and "offworlder" travellers who hailed from every conceivable corner of the ''Transformers'' multiverse, ranging from mainstream "Generation 1" realities to obscure offshoots like the original ''[[GoBots|Challenge of the GoBots]]'' television show. ''TransTech'' stitched together throwaway bits of lore: notably, it tied together throwaway concepts like "subspace" and "transwarp" into [[Unspace|a single unifying concept]] that occupied the space between individual realities. Most notably for the purposes of this article, the ''TransTech'' stories featured scientists observing and classifying different realities under a specific alphanumeric system. Although author [[Greg Sepelak]] has gone on record to say that this "[[universal stream]]" system was originally conceived as a way of making the TransTech seem detached and alien,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201113130526/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/101932-tfwikinet-thread-or-the-all-new-all-different-community-portal/page-320#entry3411810 The Allspark Forums, 2nd January 2016]</ref> this did not stop both fans and other creatives from using it as a definitive system of universal classification—a home-grown substitute for the elaborate cosmologies of the {{w|Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|Marvel}} and {{w|Multiverse (DC Comics)|DC}} multiverses.

From 2009 to 2010, the [[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|Allspark Almanac]] expanded the ''Transtech'' notation to, among other things, include a [[Gargent|proper universal cluster]] for ''GoBots'', [[Nexus|another]] for the TransTech themselves, and even one for [[Quadwal|the "real world"]]. For the next eight years, the multiverse would define Fun Publications' time on the brand; stories would frequently involve characters crossing into different realities or embarking upon epic cross-dimensional quests.

[[File:MarceloMatere-continuities.jpg|thumb|right|250px| I keep changing it, don't I? Which do you prefer: Universe? Multiverse? Omni-fragging verse - ohh it doesn't really fragging matter, does it?]]

As most adult-oriented Japanese fiction tends to play in the margins of the complicated [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Japanese cartoon continuity]], the idea of exploring the entire ''Transformers'' multiverse as a concept did not crop up as frequently in most Japanese fiction. However, different works of fiction featured time-travel plots and branching timelines—the most prominent of these splinter realities would be the [[BT World]], which would give rise to the powerful, multiverse-spanning "[[Alternity (species)|Alternity]]", until they were superseded by the two-dimensional [[Planicron]]s from [[Flatworld]] in a [[pack-in material|pack-in]] epic spanning from 2003 all the way to 2012. The ''[[Transformers Cloud]]'' prose stories from 2014 to 2015 featured by far Takara's most extensive flirtation with the concept, introducing another hub reality in the form of the artificially induced "[[Cloud World]]" inhabited by "Spacetime Police" who took a much more active role in the multiverse than their Transtech cousins and utilized their own, simpler, "[[Multiverse#Spacetime|Spacetime]]" system of universe classification.

That same year, Fun Publication's [[Ask Vector Prime]] feature offered the most definitive look at the multiverse yet: in addition to fleshing out obscure realities, delving into the history of the TransTech and the multiverse itself, tying together bits of ''TransTech'', ''Cloud'', and ''Alternity'' lore, and exploring the lives of other pan-dimensional beings like the [[Hytherion]], the column took a stab at laying out a definitive multiversal cosmology by establishing both the [[Megaverse]] and the wider [[Omniverse]], and providing in-fiction explanations for things like [[animation error]]s and fictional crossovers. Ultimately, however, with their time on the brand winding down, Fun Publications introduced the "[[Shroud]]" in late 2015: after years of increasingly contentious debate about their position in the multiverse meta-lore, the Shroud provided an in-fiction means of retroactively nullifying the concept of multiversal singularities entirely while also "strengthening the dimensional boundaries" and rendering further dimensional travel much harder.

With the end of BotCon in 2016 and the eventual dissolution of Fun Publications, the multiverse again took a back seat. It would not be until 2019 that the [[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|''Cyberverse'' cartoon]] returned to the concept over the course of its second and third seasons, although these multiverse tales were smaller in scope compared to what had come before, hearkening back to the possible futures and alternate timelines of Marvel's ''Transformers'' comic. In 2022, however, Hasbro brought the concept back in a big way: the [[Transformers: Legacy|''Legacy'' toyline]], a celebration of the brand as a whole, features characters from across the ''Transformers'' multiverse <ref>"Universes collide! TRANSFORMERS: LEGACY brings together fan-favorite characters from across the TRANSFORMERS multiverse with figures featuring deco inspired by their universe."</ref>—as of writing, the toyline features characters from "Generation 1", the "[[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]]", "[[Animated continuity family|Animated]]", and the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned"]] continuity families.

In a moment of supreme irony, IDW Publishing—whether through coincidence or an attempt to capitalize on ''Legacy'''s main marketing push— again attempted to tackle the multiverse again in 2022's ''[[Transformers: Collision Course]]'' miniseries; due to unclear circumstances, however, the comic would be scrapped at the last moment. With IDW's loss of the ''Transformers'' license at the end of 2022, it's unclear if future licensees will touch upon this corner of the ''Transformers'' mythos.

==Multiversal cartography==
{{quote|It is only natural for my species (and yours) to attempt to name, label, classify and clarify, build a taxonomy. But there will always be realms that defy understanding, always be mysteries left to uncover, always be exceptions to every rule. Isn't it glorious?|[[Vector Prime]]|[[Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 5/21/2015]]}}

[[File:WotT Cybertron.jpg|thumb|left|400px|There are many worlds, but they share the same sky...]]

The ''Transformers'' multiverse is vast, but just ''how'' vast is not entirely clear. As a subset of the endless [[Omniverse]], the multiverse encompasses an extremely large number of potential realities: according to [[Vector Prime]], this number lies somewhere in the millions,<ref>[[Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 5/21/2015]]</ref> the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s of [[Axiom Nexus]] claim to have discovered at least 15,962,782 different universes,<ref>"[[Withered Hope]]"</ref> the Autobots of [[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|one universe]] analyzed 75,890,007 realities while searching for [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|their Optimus Prime]],<ref>"[[Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4]]"</ref> [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]] once put the number at a whopping fifteen quadrillion,<ref>"[[Games of Deception]]"</ref> and other stories have described the multiverse as infinite.<ref>[[Balancing Act, Part 2]]</ref><ref>[[Transformers: Deviations]]</ref><ref>[[The Trial]]</ref> Regardless of how many potential realities might exist, there exist a finite number of beings with the technological sophistication and drive to explore and chart them, and as a result groups of Transformers and Transformer-analogues across the dimensions have come up with different ways to chart and classify these parallel realities.

{{--}}

===Universal streams===
{{main|Universal stream|List of universal streams}}
Within the fictional ''Transformers'' multiverse, the advanced [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s of [[Axiom Nexus]] identify individual timelines with in the multiverse as specific "[[universal stream]]s", each encompassing a specific cartoon, comic book, video game, movie, toy commercial, or just about any other form of ''Transformers'' media. Each universal stream receives a specific name regarding the continuity family of origin (known in-fiction as a "universal cluster"), a number that indicates its "real-world" date of creation, and a Greek letter that denotes the specific form of media. Using this notation, one could identify the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''Transformers'' cartoon]] and [[The Transformers: The Movie|the animated film]] as taking place in universe "[[Primax 984.17 Alpha]]". A universal stream might encompass a single work of fiction, or many interconnected franchises; for example, the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers Prime'']], ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'', and ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoons all take place in "[[Uniend 911.05 Alpha]]". A single universal stream might also form the foundation for multiple divergent timelines, all mutually contradictory in their own way: so it is that universe "[[Primax 984.0 Gamma]]", the reality of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel comic]], branches off at different points into [[Primax 490.0 Gamma]], [[Primax 512.5 Gamma]], [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]], or [[Primax 290.03 Gamma]].

Thanks to a simple and relatively intuitive classification scheme, it became easy for both official creators and fans to retroactively identify basically every universe and continuity that had appeared up to that point, and due to its prominence in official fiction compared to other forms of universal classification, we usually default to Axiom Nexus notation when categorizing universes on this wiki. From 2015 to 2016, the [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook feature namedropped ''hundreds'' of universal streams—some based upon mainstream cartoons and comics, others on obscure toy commercials and storybooks, still others spinning off out of original stories or outlandish "what-if" scenarios. However, Vector Prime was careful to inform his readers that the efforts of the TransTech, while admirable, were but arbitrary labels attempting to tidily categorize a nigh-infinite phase space. Universal clusters and the beings that dwell within them blur, overlap, and do not always fall into clear-cut categories, as evidenced by the existence of realities like [[Primax 610.17 Kappa]] or [[Iocus 1012.30 Gamma]].

Ultimately, however, with the termination of the Fun Publications/Hasbro partnership at the end of [[2016]], no new TransTech fiction has been or likely ever will be published. New stories or continuities introduced after this cut-off date—including ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Cyberverse]]'', ''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (franchise)|EarthSpark]]'', or ''[[Transformers: BotBots (franchise)|BotBots]]''—do not possess in-fiction universal stream designations and probably never will.

===Worlds===
For most TakaraTomy fiction that involves different universes (notably ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Legends]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]''), many characters utilize a dirt simple system whereby the more plot-relevant universes are designated short names based on content and referred to as X "World"(世界 ''Sekai''). A prominent example is the "[[G1 World]]" (G1世界), containing the main Japanese Generation 1 timeline. Universes are also described more generically, such as "the world of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]''" (アニメイテッドの世界).<ref>"[[LG-16 Slipstream Sequel]]"</ref>

The higher dimensional [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]] use the universal stream system in conjunction with the simpler names. Residents of the [[Cloud World]] may appear to use this system, but their usage of "World" is very different ([[#Spacetimes|see below]]).

===Spacetimes===
In ''[[Transformers Cloud]]'', the multiversal regulators of [[Cloud World]] organize the multiverse, which they call the "Spacetime World", under a system of "Spacetimes" (時空 ''Jikū''). Each spacetime falls under a two-letter code designating its general dimensional category, such as "[[The Transformers (franchise)|OG]]" or "[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|MD]]", representing real world franchises rather than continuity. These categories can also be referred to as "Worlds" (世界 ''Sekai'') or unnumbered spacetimes. Individual timelines are then numbered via two digit time coordinates. As such, you get designations like "24-BW Spacetime" (第24BW時空 ''Dai-Nijūyon Bīdaburyū Jikū''). This does not indicate strict separation, as many spacetimes are connected in greater "flows of time" (時の流れ ''toki no nagare''), representing continuities, that can cross different world categorizations; the numerical designations indicate branches in this flow.

These relatively well-behaved spacetimes have a tendency to indicate somewhere in the vicinity of a franchise's cartoon. In the event an "irregular spacetime" does not have a cartoon, Cloud's "Spacetime Police" have been known to just kind of wing it, producing designations such as "EX-LG Spacetime" (indicating [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Deadlock's ''Legends'' comic]]) and "15-OGSS Spacetime" (a divergent spacetime that spun out of 01-OG Spacetime due to the events of ''[[Transformers: The Battle of the Star Gate|The Battle of the Star Gate]]'').

One very special spacetime that does not quite follow the system established above is OG001 Spacetime (OG001時空), representing the very first episode of a ''Transformers'' cartoon—the English version of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". Consequentially, this spacetime is regarded by Cloud natives as the origin point of the multiverse as a whole.

===Levels===
The [[GoBot]]s of several Gargent realities, such as [[Gargent 984.08 Alpha]], refer to an alternate reality as a "Level", as depicted in the ''Challenge of the GoBots'' cartoon and later ''Transformers''-[[canon]]ized by [[Ask Vector Prime#Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric]]. Unlike a "stream", a "level" can refer to a main universe's entire timeline in addition to all of its splinter timelines. The GoBots' home universe is the 1st level while the dread reality ruled by Queen [[Exor]]'s [[Insectoid]]s is the 21st level. [[Primax 984.0 Gamma]], as well as its splinter [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]], is dubbed the 22nd level in "[[Withered Hope]]", and one or more [[Viron]] realities is dubbed the 44th level in "[[Echoes and Fragments]]". Other GoBot-populated realities or reality systems include the 8th, 13th, 17th, 19th, 25th, 28th, 30th, 33rd, and 52nd levels; as per hidden text in "[[Cultural Appropriation]]", the GoBots identify other ''Transformers''-affiliated realities as Levels 16, 29, 34, 39, 51, 59, 63, 69, 72, and 77, though it's not clear how these map onto the standard TransTech notation.

===Strata===
Riffing off the aforementioned system of "levels", the Autobots of [[Primax 085.0 Eta]] call universal streams "Strata", with reference to their specific reality as "Strata 1". Only one other designation is known: [[Gargent 087.0 Kappa]] is referred to as Strata 22 in both Ask Vector Prime and [[Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric]].

===Cybertrons===
The Cybertronians who inhabit the negative-polarity version of [[Axiom Nexus]] utilize a slightly modified version of the standard universal stream notation: under their system, universes are classified as "Cybertron-[x]", with [x] using the first letter of its cluster name, the first letter of its universe type, and the year of its creation. Using this system, the [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|original "Shattered Glass" universe]] would be "Cybertron-PE08".<ref>"[[Epilogue Two]]"</ref>

===Universes===
Promotional material for the multiverse-themed ''[[Transformers: Legacy]]'' toyline classifies its characters under a system of "origin universes" that roughly correspond to when and where they originally appeared. Under this schema, the versions of [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] who debuted in the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' cartoon hail from the "Prime Universe"; likewise, ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] belongs to the "Cybertron Universe". What exactly constitutes a single "universe" is unclear and sometimes inconsistent: for instance, ''Legacy'' considers characters like [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] to be denizens of the "G1 Universe", which covers a [[Generation 1 continuity family|vast swathe of mutually contradictory cartoons, comics, storybooks, and more]]; fellow G1 character [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], meanwhile, comes from the "Comic Universe", a veiled reference to the specific [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK universe]] in which Impactor first appeared. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Legacy|''Legacy'' Laser Optimus Prime]], on the other hand, hails from the "G2 Universe", which would, at least in theory, identify him as a member of the 1990s [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]]... a comic in which he never actually ''appeared'' in this body. Additionally, there are some instances where two characters that come from different universes have the same label, and ones who come from the same universe having different labels. As mentioned, Impactor originated in Marvel UK, while [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]] hails from [[IDW Publishing]]’s 2005 continuity, yet both have the same label, Comic Universe. The flip side of this is with Unicron Trilogy characters, such as [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Cybertron Metroplex]] and [[Starscream (Armada)|Armada Starscream]], who technically are from the same universe, but are labeled for their cartoons of origin (although that’s probably due to the differing styles between the series).

Suffice it to say that Hasbro, and indeed most of the toy-buying public, cares very little about these kinds of inconsistencies.

===Timelines===
The ''[[Transformers: Forged to Fight]]'' mobile game describes alternate universes as "timelines", with a corresponding alphanumeric designation. Thus far, only [[Timeline G1-700-110b|one timeline]] has been identified in this way, an original universe loosely based on the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'']] episode "[[Grimlock's New Brain]]".

===Others===
Some alternate realities are given more descriptive names by their discoverers or the inhabitants who live there. Examples include the "[[X-Dimension]]", "[[Limbo]]", "the [[Dead Universe]]", "[[Alpha Q's universe]]", or "[[Menonia]]".

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[File:Newcolors KillingJar.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

During their reign over [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Quintesson]]s used a specialized portal chamber to exile prisoners to alternate dimensions, including an ice world, a place with no physical substance, and the magical land of [[Menonia]]. {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}}

While trying to escape a [[Quintesson]] scientist, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], and [[Marissa Faireborn]], accidentally flew the Quintesson's ship into a [[black hole]] that led to a strange “[[negative universe]]”. By travelling back through that universe's “white hole”, the group returned to their original reality. {{storylink|The Killing Jar (episode)|The Killing Jar}}
=====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity=====
[[File:Precursor World Planets.jpg|thumb|left|400px]]
The [[Precursor World]] came into existence as a multiverse unto itself, composed of seven monochromatic universes, each containing its own variant of a mysterious energy known as [[Star Power]]. In the final battle between the native [[Primus Vanguard]] and their nemeses the [[Specter]]s, the Primus Vanguard pooled all their Star Power into a [[Silver Matrix|single vessel]] to obliterate the Specters, and in so doing fused their multiverse into a single shared reality. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 1|Finale Part 1}}

When the Precursor World eventually met its end in the [[Big Bang (event)|Big Bang]], at least one daughter universe was birthed in the form of the [[G1 World]]. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 2|Finale Part 2}} The denizens of these two closely intertwined realities subsequently bothered each other via [[time travel]]. Like, a lot. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic}}

In [[2004]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] travelled to the [[Legends World]] following a [[solitarium]] explosion. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 6|Bonus Edition Vol. 6}} The Autobot returned with [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] in tow {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 7|Bonus Edition Vol. 7}} and the Destronger was forced to leave by [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

The meddling of the time traveler [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] to tip history in favor of the [[Decepticon]]s irrevocably altered the timeline of the G1 World from [[2005]] onwards, eventually producing a splinter universe known as the [[BT World]]. {{storylink|Changing Lanes}} This BT World would lead to the creation of the truly multidimensional [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]], who protected the universes against threats like the [[Hytherion]] {{storylink|From Here to Alternity}} and [[Megatron (G1)|those who sought to control the beast]]. {{storylink|To Mega Therion}} The Alternity's battles spanned multiple universes till a plot by Megatron forced the Alternity to be replaced by the [[Planicron]]s. {{Storylink|Alternation}}

The [[Binaltech (technology)|Binaltech]]s and [[Protector]]s traveled to G1 World to attend the trial of [[Primacron]] by the [[Quintesson]]s in [[2011]]. Upon the conclusion of proceedings, Primacron departed the G1 World for dimensions unknown. {{storylink|Controverse}} In the same year, the Autobots traveled to a parallel dimension to assist the inhabitants of [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], a parallel version of Earth. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

[[File:Skids and screech.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

At some point, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] bathed in [[Dimension Slide]] particles, giving him new abilities that allowed him to transverse the multiverse. He, with another version of himself called [[Screech (Generations)|Screech]], leapt to another universe to deal with an errant ghost of Starscream from Skids's own universe. {{storylink|Starscream's New Body}} Becoming a "Dimensional Investigator", Skids policed the dimensions with his [[Skids Squadron]], made up of Skidses from across dimensions. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 20|Bonus Edition Vol. 20}}

In [[2015]], the G1 World was accessed by the Legends World's Rattrap via his dreams. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 8|Bonus Edition Vol. 8}} {{storylink|2015's Swerve}} {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter|Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 9|Bonus Edition Vol. 9}} {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Brainstorm Chapter|Brainstorm Chapter}}

In [[2021]], [[Unicron]] summoned [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] from their native dimensions to aid in the resurrection of his G1 World incarnation, reformatting them into fodder for [[Grand Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Grand Galvatron Chapter}} Unicron later summoned [[Grand Scourge]] to the G1 World in an attempt to bamboozle [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]] into fighting alongside his warriors. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} Unicron's tampering with the timeline and universe threatened to destabilize the multiversal barriers, so everybody banded together to stop Unicron's plans, but not before Grand Scourge and [[Galvatron II]] were tossed to locations unknown through a crack in spacetime. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}} Around this time, many beings went back and forth to the Legends World for various reasons.

During the 2030s, many beings also went to the Legends World for various reasons. It was during this time that the Legends World was properly created by the Zamojin. After that world was destroyed, its refugees found shelter in the G1 World during this era till the Legends World's recreation.

Breakdown returned to his home universe and Slipstream (having went to the G1 World following her stint in the Legends World) also returned to her proper reality. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

Upon his purification of [[Angolmois Energy|malicious Angolmois]] by [[Lio Convoy]] in [[2050]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s unhindered [[spark]] traveled back in time to the Precursor World under its own power to save both universes. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 2|Finale Part 2}}

Centuries later [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] were revived after [[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|their deaths]] by [[Logos Prime]] and had some trippy adventures aboard his multiversal pyramid ship thing before being deposited on a [[Jungle Planet (colony)#Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Jungle Planet]] somewhere in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Aurex cluster]]. {{storylink|Beast Wars Reborn}}

After the [[Great Transformation]], Cheetor sent Rattrap and Waspinator to recover Rhinox's spirit from the Legends World. Despite interference from the ghost of Starscream, they succeeded. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rattrap)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Waspinator)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

======Legends World======
[[File:Legendsvol30-RattrapTigatron.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

As an experiment to study [[Beast Power]], the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] sought to use their [[spirit energy|telepathic powers]] to create a universe from scratch. In the 2030s of the [[G1 World]], the Zamojin had [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and [[Twin Twist (G1)|Twin Twist]] assist them by procuring the [[Zodiac]]. With that, the Zamojin's telepathic powers, and [[proton energy]] from the [[Space Pirates]], the Legends World was created. The two Autobots felt obligated to help as their comrades, [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] and [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], were from the Legends World, but had migrated to the G1 World in [[2004]]—time was a meaningless consideration in inter-universal travel. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 66|Bonus Edition Vol. 66}} The Beast Power used was copied from beast Transformers from across the G1 World and duplicated in the Legends World, forming deformed versions of those same Beast Transformers who would go on to populate the universe's [[Earth]]. The Legends World also had an interesting property in that the adventures of Transformers from across the multiverse were extant as ''Transformers''-branded media, with accompanying toys. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 41|Bonus Edition Vol. 41}}

The Legends World's [[spirit energy|inherent properties]] allowed its [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] to access the G1 World through dreaming. There, he was able to meet various Autobot heroes in the [[2015]] of the G1 World that he knew from media in his native universe. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 8|Bonus Edition Vol. 8}} {{storylink|2015's Swerve}} {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter|Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 9|Bonus Edition Vol. 9}} {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Brainstorm Chapter|Brainstorm Chapter}} [[Tigatron]] would later join Rattrap in another "dream", this time to the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|''Adventure'' cartoon]]. {{storylink|Go! Adventure}}

[[File:LegendsVol16-Slipstream.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

In the G1 World's 2004, the [[Predacon (BW)|Destronger]] [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] and the [[Autobot]] [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] were thrown into the [[Legends World]] by a [[solitarium]] explosion. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 6|Bonus Edition Vol. 6}} Jetfire would return to his proper universe with Whirl and Roadbuster in tow. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 7|Bonus Edition Vol. 7}} Seeking allies in his mission to recover [[Megatron (RID)|Devil Gigatron]] from the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s clutches, [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] arrived in the Legends World and convinced Sky-Byte to leave the life he'd established for the regular G1 World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

When [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] threatened to destroy the Legends World on the behalf of its creators, the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]], the denizens of the universe were able to pull in [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] from the late 2030s through a portal to handle her. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 12|Bonus Edition Vol. 12}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} He would soon be followed by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who found a portal to the Legends World and established his presence there. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 23}} [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Another Megatron]] arrived with a seemingly resurrected [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. Together, they attempted to rob the world of its [[Mini-Con]] "toys". {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Armada Megatron)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} To counter them, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] travelled to the Legends World with the [[10.2 ultra-drill|ultra-drill]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 14|Bonus Edition Vol. 14}} Escaping inevitable imprisonment by the Autobot authorities on her [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] used transdimensional gyro-rotors acquired from [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] to flee to the Legends World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 16|Bonus Edition Vol. 16}} Due to the growing Decepticon power on the Legends World, Alpha Trion brought in [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 17|Bonus Edition Vol. 17}} Armada Megatron and Armada Starscream would be finally sent back to their universe when Alpha Trion used the ultra-drill to bring in [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] to calm down Starscream before he sacrificed himself again. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 18|Bonus Edition Vol. 18}}

[[File:LegendsComic SkidsSquadron.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

To alleviate his recent weight gain, the [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] of the 2030s went to the Legends World to get a new body from that universe's [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]. {{storylink|LG19 Sprung Prologue}} Jealous of the attention Springer was getting from the women of the Legends World, Tigatron stole the ultra-drill and brought in women from across the multiverse. His plan didn't work out, as they all ended swooning over Springer anyway. Except one. The Legends World's own [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]; this rejection sent Springer crying back home. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}} This universe was soon visited by the [[Deadlock (Cloud)|Deadlock]] of [[Cloud World]], with [[SARA]] in tow. After some angst about not being like the [[Drift (disambiguation)|Drift]] of other universes, he was sent on his way back by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], who was now a dimensional investigator. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} The Legends World was in turn visited by [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] from after the [[Great Transformation]], who were in search of the spirit of [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rattrap)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]'s ghost arrived to possess Waspinator again, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Waspinator)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} but was foiled by the resurrected Rhinox. Together, the three Beast Warriors returned to their proper world and time. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

Sick of the constant universal incursions, Skids attempted to expel all foreign beings from the Legends World with the assistance of the multiversal [[Skids Squadron]] and seal it, but the natives fought against this effort and convinced Skids that he was the one destroying the peace of this universe. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 20|Bonus Edition Vol. 20}}

In [[2021]], one of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s plots involving a [[black hole]] led a group of Autobots and Decepticons being forced to become small [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] in order to escape their continually shrinking bodies. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} Knowing of Whirl and Roadbuster's origins in the Legends World and that its natives could easily build new bodies for them, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] pinpointed the world's spacetime coordinates from the two [[Wreckers]]' residual radiation and used solitarium to travel there. The Decepticons had the same idea, joining up with [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] in the Legends World to get new bodies. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} To keep the former [[Headmaster Junior|Headmasters Jr]] (and [[Clouder]]) safe, [[Grand Maximus]] sent them over to the Legends World into Fortress's care. Shockwave, having detected Megatron in the same universe, travelled there as well. {{storylink|LG24 Shockwave & Cancer Prologue}} [[Devil Z]], having died in the G1 World, was resurrected in the Legends World through dark magic. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 34|Bonus Edition Vol. 34}}

Through means unknown, the [[Precursor World]]'s [[Convobat]]'s [[transtector]] travelled to the [[Legends World]], where it acted in a move chronicling Convobat's adventures. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Convobat)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

When a mysterious transtector appeared in the Legends World, the Autobot Headmasters Jr summoned [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] to that world to claim it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 35|Bonus Edition Vol. 35}} Soon, Rattrap visited [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] again in his sleep, inspiring the Headmaster to finally come over to the Legends World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 39|Bonus Edition Vol. 39}}

[[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]], of a universe similar to the G1 World, attempted to invade the Legends World with his Scorponok, but was foiled with the help of heroic [[Nebulan]] Headmasters from the villain's universe. {{storylink|LGEX Headmaster Set Chapter}} Having travelled through many worlds, [[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]] came face to face with [[Katsu Don]] over the fate of the Legends World, for Transformers in his time had eventually realized it existed and were inspired by children cheering on the heroes while watching and reading ''Transformers'' media. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 41|Bonus Edition Vol. 41}} In preparation for civil war between the Decepticon factions on the Legends World, [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]] came over to act as the black box for a new [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|LG-43 Trypticon Project Chapter}}

Turned good by a reformed Devil Gigatron, [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] attempted to use the might of the Dimensional Patrol to control the Legends World and hunt down the [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]] who were hiding out in that universe. He and Skids banned the use of transtectors, which made the other denizens of the Legends World turn against them and help [[Dark Ai]] restore all six Combatrons' evil personalities. All involved were forced out the universe. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

To explain Ginrai's mysterious transformation into [[Magna Convoy]], [[Delta Magnus]] and [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]] were brought in by Waspinator using the ultra-drill. They had no idea what the wasp was talking about. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Magna Convoy)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} In the wake of Trypticon's devastation of [[Tokyo]], Alpha Trion brought in the G1 World's [[Disaster Relief Team]] to assist in rebuilding. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}}

The smaller Targetmaster partners, lost since the [[black ball]] incident, were transported to the Legends World when the Decepticon Targetmasters forced Alpha Trion to use his ultra-drill. {{storylink|Mutant Targetmaster Birth Chapter}} Not knowing of this, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Shaoshao Li]] arrived in the Legends World in search of the Targetmasters. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} Also present on the world were [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and [[Sue Faireborn]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 46|Bonus Edition Vol. 46}} Hearing of [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]]'s new ability to clone beings with his beam, [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] traveled to the Legends World to use it to create [[Insecticon clone]]s. Also present were [[Mega]] and [[Giga]], resurrected by Devil Z from their deaths in the G1 World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 47|Bonus Edition Vol. 47}}

The Legends World faced an invasion by evil [[Kreon]]s. They were quickly stopped by good Kreons and they all returned to their universe of Kre-O blocks. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Special Chapter|Special Chapter}} Seeking redemption and escape from the authorities, the [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] of [[2022]] came to the Legends World with [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 50|Bonus Edition Vol. 50}} [[White Leo]] had the same idea, but to use the Legends World's native to build a bestial army against the [[Laser Beast]]s that threatened to conquer [[Beast (planet)|Beast]] in the G1 World. He was followed by his rival [[Tigerburn]], but the warring beasts were forced back home. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 51|Bonus Edition Vol. 51}}

To assist the Legends World against future threats, the [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] of the 2030s were sent there. Desiring the power of Broadside's enormous transtector, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Trickdiamond]] followed. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 53|Bonus Edition Vol. 53}} To build up defenses against an expected return of [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], Ginrai went to the G1 World's [[G Nebula 89]] to upgrade his transtector and returned to the Legends World. Unbeknownst to him, he brings over [[White Lune]], sister of White Leo, as "delivery". {{storylink|TF Legends Late Xmas Present Chapter|Late Xmas Present Chapter}}

Pursued by the [[Concurrence]]-controlled [[Galactic Peace Alliance]] and its [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] came to the Legends World to throw them off. The Throttlebots nevertheless followed with Spike's impostor (in actuality [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]]) coming along. The impostor was foiled and sent back to the G1 World. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 54|Bonus Edition Vol. 54}} To investigate the Zamojin's hand in the Legends World, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] crossed over, only to run into Katsu Don. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 56|Bonus Edition Vol. 56}} Desiring to become a Headmaster, the bodiless [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] convinced [[Lunaclub]] and [[Moonheart]] to facilitate travel there, which they did. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 57|Bonus Edition Vol. 57}}

Working against the fake Spike Witwicky, the Autobot [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]] arrived in the Legends World to escape pursuit by "Spike" and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]. "Spike" was revealed as Old Snake in disguise and he returned to the G1 World. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 58|Bonus Edition Vol. 58}}

Seeking worlds to conquer, the [[Quintesson]]s (of times ancient compared to the Legends World immigrants) attempted to invade the Legends World, only to be sent back their way by [[Big Convoy|Big Fight]] and their former servant, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. As the Quintessons were from a time long before the actual creation of the Legends World, they investigated who they knew to be the universe's creators, the Zamojin, and sealed their region of space with a [[quadrant lock]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 59|Bonus Edition Vol. 59}} Seeking the proton energy that created the Legends World, the Decepticon Clones came to pilfer it. They discover that the Autobot Targetmaster partners have absorbed it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 61|Bonus Edition Vol. 61}}

[[File:Epiloge-Multiverse.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

After his multiple trips to the Legends World, Old Snake decided to use the full might of the Concurrence to conquer it so that they could use the planet's resources to fight against the Galactic Peace Alliance. Thanks to the efforts of G1 Megatron, the Concurrence were defeated and they fled back to the G1 World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 63|Bonus Edition Vol. 63}} Losing the war on Beast, Tigerburn returned to the Legends World in an effort to conquer it and transform its denizens into Laser Beasts, but was stopped by the visiting [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Alana]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 64|Bonus Edition Vol. 64}}

When the world came under attack by a Zamojin-controlled Windblade and the Targetmasters, Springer, Roadbuster, Whirl, Topspin, and Twin Twist came to help in its defense. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 65|Bonus Edition Vol. 65}} After using [[spirit energy|Shinchōkon]] to resurrect [[Jack (G1)|Jack]], Sixshot, now "Greatshot", returned with his new partner to the G1 World. After the Concurrence was defeated, Spike, Daniel, and Bumblebee also returned. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Greatshot)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

Putting his revenge in action, Devil Z pulled in Scorponok so that the two of them could reunite as a new "BlackZarak" and conquer all universes after consuming the Legends World. (Such a scenario happening was why the Zamojin wanted to destroy the Legends World.) Fortunately, Grand Maximus was able to come over and defeat BlackZarak. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Surviving, Scorponok decided to simply blow up the Legends World and established forces consisting of his loyal Decepticons, [[Majin Zarak]], and the Zamojin. They were fought against by everybody else and the Dimensional Patrol. As a final resort, Scorponok engineered the Targetmasters to create a planetary-sized explosion. {{Storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}} Scorponok's forces were defeated and Majin Zarak forced out of the universe, but Devil Z, having also survived, pushed the Targetmasters to continue with the explosion. Using the [[Drill Base]] to create portals all around the world, all living beings were evacuated to the G1 World as the Legends World was destroyed. Those who travelled to the Legends World were returned to their proper times. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two}}

After some turmoil, the Legends World was restored through the efforts of many and through the collection of the Zodiac, the last remaining soil of the Legends World, [[Energon Z]], the Zamojin's telepathy, and White Leo's [[MVP Weapon]]. Megatron, who had died in the interim, was resurrected and left the Legends World to its own devices after some time. Leo Prime, his job finished, also left for parts unknown. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}
{{--}}

=====''Deviations''=====
The multiverse contains an infinite number of quantum universes with every single possible outcome, including a reality where [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] did not die in the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
{{noteukonly}}
''[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] was tricked into blowing up what he thought was [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], twenty years before the Seeker was ''meant'' to die. He believed this meant he'd created an alternate timeline, and what he did in the past wouldn't affect the future of ''his'' reality.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Individuals displaced by [[time travel]] wound up in a bizarre [[limbo]] dimension, a black void populated by [[Limbo parasite|parasitic life-forms]] who fed on the emotions of their victims.'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}}

[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s minions [[Hook, Line, and Sinker]] travelled to an alternate timeline to fetch [[Galvatron II|that reality's Galvatron]], who'd ruled the bombed-out ruins of America ever since "his" Unicron had triumphed and destroyed Cybertron. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

=====''Regeneration One''=====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:RG1 93 rodimii.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Everyone stop arguing and listen to Rodimus-One!]]

When [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] returned to the [[Primus]] chamber with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], he had a vision of numerous multiversal versions of himself. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} Primus, using [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] as a vessel, sent Hot Rod on a journey through [[Zero Space]], the void that exists between realities. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} While the journey through Zero Space took him to three periods of his own timeline's past, the final stop was on a [[Junkion (planet)|planet of junk]] in [[Primax 490.0 Gamma|Galvatron II's home timeline]], where the Unicron-empowered Decepticon destroyed Hot Rod's counterpart, Rodimus Prime. Unobserved by the victorious Decepticons, Hot Rod recovered his counterpart's [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and returned to his own timeline, reborn as Rodimus Prime himself. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

However, "Primus" turned out to be the corrupted fragment of Matrix energy that had empowered the [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] more than two decades earlier. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} Rodimus had witnessed that this energy had survived the destruction of the Deathbringer, {{storylink|Less Than Zero}} and this "Dark Matrix creature", having gained sentience, had been manipulating events ever since. When Primus brought the Transformers on Earth back to Cybertron in order to confront Unicron {{storylink|The Void! (US)}}, he had inadvertently brought the creature back as well. It had hidden itself in the shadows, stirring up the [[Demon]]s in the aftermath of the conflict, and hoping to draw upon the chaos that followed the demise of Primus. But when the [[Last Autobot]] was activated and able to stabilize the planet, the creature found it could not thrive on the ensuing peace. It had manipulated [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] into restarting the war; it had reawakened Galvatron on Earth and brought him back to Cybertron; and it had affected events on [[Nebulos]], culminating in the possession of the original head of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and kidnapping [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] from Earth. And when it was ready to launch its endgame, it corrupted nearly every Transformer left on Cybertron, turning them all into [[shadow-leech]]es.

The creature was now using Spike, whom to it represented the "trinity"—a fusion of the worlds of Earth, Cybertron, and Nebulos (having undergone the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster process]])—as a focal point for the chaos energies generated on those worlds. The creature intended to use those energies to shatter the barriers of Zero Space and spread itself throughout the multiverse, so that it could create even more chaos.

[[File:Gas skunk blackarachnia jetstorm leobreaker starscream war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Rodimus Prime, using the [[Covenant of Primus]] to reenter Zero Space and bearing the [[Sword of Primus]], confronted the creature, who beset upon Rodimus three versions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]—his present self, alongside two past forms, all corrupted by the creature, although the present Optimus struggled to resist the corruption. The weakened dimensional barriers, however, allowed Rodimus Prime's multiversal counterparts to enter Zero Space and join the fray. As the other Rodimuses attacked the creature, Optimus regained his senses long enough to reveal what he'd learned of Primus's grand plan—that it would ultimately result in the creation of an optimum universe made up of the best elements of the other universes. Since the creature could not be destroyed, only contained, the only way to prevent it from corrupting the grand plan was to seal off their own universe forever. Using this knowledge, Rodimus was able to snap Spike out of his fugue, allowing him to break free. Rodimus then prevented the creature from escaping into the closing crack by sealing it with the Sword of Primus. With the creature trapped, Optimus, Rodimus, and Spike were returned to the Primus chamber, and the other Rodimuses returned to their home realities. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:HoD2-UniversalContinuum.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Conventional Cybertronian science held that parallel universes, such as those created through [[time travel]], did not exist. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue}} At some point, [[Micronus Prime]] abandoned his original reality and created his own personal dimension, the realm of [[Microspace]]. {{storylink|Informed}}

An extradimensional [[Elder God]], summoned to this universe by the writings of [[H.P. Lovecraft|Howard Lovecraft]], briefly awoke sometime in the 19th century and was subsequently defeated by [[Domitius Major]] in the guise of "Optimus Prime". {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

In the year [[2014]], [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] used a time machine to reach back through history to the moment time began in another universe, and used a time machine to siphon off its life energy from the moment of its creation to fulfill his grand scheme. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} This stillborn "[[Dead Universe]]" was somehow able to reach out to the reality that had originally created it: some six million years ago, [[Nova Prime]] and the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]]'' were drawn through a portal in the [[Benzuli Expanse]] that led to the Dead Universe. There, they were corrupted by the realm's immortal darkness; their original mission of exploration and conquest was twisted into a malevolent plot of "[[Expansion]]" meant to merge the two universes together. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} When Nova Prime, now "Nemesis Prime", and his minions met the Autobots in battle on [[Gorlam Prime]], their beachhead for their eventual invasion of the universe, Optimus Prime's forces triumphed and most of the invaders were banished back to the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:Infestation1-Multiverse.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Years later, [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]—one of the few architects of the Dead Universe invasion to escape this fate—stumbled across an anomalous mass of metal and frozen flesh in deep space. He and his followers brought the strange object on board, but soon realized that they'd accidentally loosed a horde of ravenous [[zombie]]s. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 1|Infestation #1}} Both the zombies and their undead leader [[Britt]] hailed from outside their universe: in her home timeline, she'd been corrupted into serving the dread [[Undermind]] in its pan-dimensional invasion, which spread to [[Ghostbusters|multiple]] [[Star Trek|divergent]] [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|universes]]. {{storylink|Infestation issue 1|Infestation #1}} Once they'd crash-landed on [[Earth]], Galvatron and his followers fought back, even recruiting some grudging Autobot assistance, {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 1|The Transformers: Infestation #1}} but Britt transformed into a living [[space bridge]] to send her horde back in time to devour pre-war Cybertron. However, Galvatron used [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'s remote mind-link to instruct [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] to sabotage the space bridge and send the zombies to the Dead Universe, where the Undermind would have nothing to feed upon. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 2|The Transformers: Infestation #2}} Once she returned to her native dimension, Britt threw off the Undermind's influence and banished it for good. {{storylink|Infestation issue 2|Infestation #2}}

As part of a plan to change history, [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] attempted to travel backwards in time in the hopes of changing Megatron's future and preventing the Great War entirely. However, his efforts created a dystopian alternate timeline in which the [[Functionist Council]] ruled Cybertron. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue}} Using a quantum duplicate of his [[time case]], the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' managed to prevent Brainstorm from killing Megatron and permanently overwriting history with this new series of events. As a result of [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]]'s tampering with the time case's anti-paradox locks, however, the would-be "new history" branched off into its own separate timeline, the "[[Functionist Universe]]", and Perceptor speculated that the event might've given rise to an infinite set of branching histories. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

After communing with the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] had her consciousness hurled through the multiverse—glimpsing various alternate versions of herself along the way—before entering [[Microspace]]. {{storylink|Informed}}

{{--}}

====''Hearts of Steel''====
[[File:Infestation2 issue1 eldergods.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Despite being trapped in a dimensional prison, the [[Elder God]]s had the power to reach out to sensitive beings. Among them was [[H. P. Lovecraft|Howard Lovecraft]], who channeled the Elder Gods' call into horror prose. Despite the clandestine organization [[Oblivion]] succeeding at killing Lovecraft before his art could threaten to allow the Elder Gods into the universe, his stories spread into popular culture. This collective imagination, with the help of [[Artillica]], let loose the Elder Gods. Free and unencumbered, they rampaged across [[Covert Vampiric Operations|one plane of existence]] along with {{w|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW Publishing)|infinite}} {{w|Dungeons & Dragons (IDW Publishing)|other}} [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|ones]] throughout the multiverse. {{Storylink|Infestation 2 issue 1|Infestation 2 #1}} One Elder God invaded a [[Hearts of Steel|universe]] in which the Transformers had awoken in the 19th century and forced the Autobots to reactivate Optimus Prime to meet the threat head-on. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}} {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 2|Infestation 2: The Transformers #2}}

[[Covert Vampiric Operations|CVO]] ended the threat of the Elder Gods by using Artillica and the [[Relic]] to seal the tear in their reality. {{Storylink|Infestation 2 issue 2|Infestation 2 #2}} {{storylink|The X-Files: Conspiracy: The Transformers|The X-Files: Conspiracy}}

{{IDW HOS}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
Trapped in the white-hot core of the Earth's [[Sun]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] tried to flee this dimension by tapping the power of his black hole heart to open a portal and escape into another reality to rebuild his strength. Megatron's body survived the trip, but not his spark: in [[Equestria|another dimension]], a group of confused [[Pony|ponies]] discovered his charred corpse. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

{{--}}

====''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''====
[[File:MazingerZvsTransformers-realities.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You got your Mazinger in my Transformers! You got your Transformers in my Mazinger!]]

While observing different realities, group of mysterious hooded figures including [[Go Nagai]] opened dimensional gates and sent a group of Autobots and Decepticons to the world of [[Mazinger Z]] for their amusement. {{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}
{{--}}

====''My Little Pony/Transformers''====
Rather than connecting two points in space, a malfunctioning [[space bridge|spacebridge]] attempted to reach out across dimensions—when its energies somehow overlapped with [[Queen Chrysalis]]'s [[magic]], it wound up transporting multiple Autobots and Decepticons to the land of [[Equestria]]. {{storylink|Transformation Is Magic}} Later, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] refined the technology and used it to create a deliberate cross-dimensional bridge between the two universes. {{storylink|The Magic of Cybertron}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
[[File:EarthriseEpisode5-SkyLynxfloating.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sorry, Jimbo, looks like you're going to the shadow realm.]]

In ancient times, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] banished the arrogant [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] into the Dead Universe when he laid claim to the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. After passing through that same universe in the present day and crash-landing on Earth, {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}} the shipwrecked Autobots and Decepticons encountered the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s: Cybertronains who had time-travelled back to Earth's past to prevent a dystopian future from ever coming to pass. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} Although the Maximals wondered if securing the AllSpark and changing history would consequentially erase them from the timeline, this was not the case, suggesting that this reality operates on a multiversal model of [[time travel]]. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 5}}

{{--}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:TestFlightII-unspace.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

When [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s experimental teleport harness malfunctioned, it wound up sending [[Jumpstream]] through [[unspace]] and stranded her on an alternate Cybertron where [[Exarchon]] had conquered the planet. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}} Although both Perceptor and Jumpstream assumed that they'd somehow crossed over into an alternate timeline, Perceptor soon realized that Jumpstream had actually travelled through ''time'', not ''space'', and had glimpsed a possible future of their own universe. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II}}

{{--}}

====''King Grimlock''====
In eons past, Optimus Prime visited the other-dimensional realm of [[Menonia]] and helped establish the [[Golden One]] as the land's new ruler. Many years later, when the Golden One had been corrupted by the power of his deity [[Soltron]], the citizens of [[Valerift]] used [[energon]] to bring him back to their dimension. It didn't go as planned, however, and they wound up summoning [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] instead. {{storylink|Grimlock the Rebel}}

===3H comics===
[[Image:TFUjailbreak.jpg|350px|thumb]]
Upon purification by the Matrix, the newly enlightened [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] evolved into new beings known as the [[Vok]]. Having been given a new purpose by [[Primus]], the Vok spread across the multiverse, seeding every plane of existence in preparation for the fulfillment of Primus's [[Grand Plan]]: The unification of all worlds balanced and organized into perfect harmony and synchronicity. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 3}}

As [[Windrazor (BW)|Windrazor]] was about to disappear due to the nullification of his timeline of origin, {{storylink|Terminus (issue)|Terminus}} [[Primus]] divinely intervened, preserved him from being nullified. Windrazor was then deposited in a new location to function as a "spirit guide" for other champions of Primus from various realities. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

[[Unicron]] abducted Transformers from the various universes in order to fight in gladiatorial combat. Consequently, Primus and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] resurrected [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] from the dead to lead [[Child of Primus|an army]] in the [[Universe War|multiversal war]] against Unicron. {{storylink|Abduction}} Optimus Primal conducted his opening salvo by traveling into the [[Cauldron]], and with the help of some abductees, initiating a mass jailbreak. Subsequently, Primal and the abductees returned to his native technorganic Cybertron, from which most of the abductees were sent back to their home universes. {{storylink|OTFCC Live-Action Drama}} {{storylink|Escape (Universe)|Escape}} {{storylink|Homecoming (Universe)|Homecoming}}

During the Universe War, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] built a device to counteract Unicron's attempts to abduct Transformers from other universes. Two attempts at deflection only partially succeeded, stranding the victims on an icy planetoid. The Children deployed a rescue team, but Unicron sent a team of [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minion]]s as well. Teaming up with the victims, the rescue team was able to drive off the Minions, and everyone was sent back to their proper eras and realities. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

After a long conflict rivaling the intensity of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 9|Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Optimus Primal's profile}} the Children of Primus emerged victorious when Unicron himself disappeared (as a result of the [[Unicron Singularity]]). {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

===Universe CD-ROM===
[[Unicron]] kidnapped Decepticons from various universes in order to assemble an army. Meanwhile, [[Primus]] recruited his own army of Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: Universe CD-ROM}}

===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:Armada17 spacebridges to other dimensions.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Cybertronian science had an understanding of the multiverse and parallel realities. One million years before the war, [[Astroscope]] and the [[Space Team]] experimented with dimensional travel, but they proved unable to breach the dimensional barriers and contact one of these other timelines. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}}

As he slowly devoured his way across the multiverse, Unicron developed a grisly habit of sending a fatally wounded [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] from one universe to the next, a kind of warning to its inhabitants that he'd soon arrive. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}} To aid his endless quest, Unicron assembled a legion of five "[[Herald of Unicron|heralds]]" plucked from different realities, who would prepare new dimensions for his arrival. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}}

As Unicron prepared to devour [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|the next reality]], the [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] escaped his universe in an experimetal [[null-reality pod]] with the [[Mini-Con Matrix]] and hoping to stop Unicron from devouring yet another reality. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} The heralds of Unicron were tasked with defeating Cybertronian leadership and centers of power and capture the Mini-Con Matrix. They used the Decepticons' [[space bridge]] network to open portals to other realities in order to initiate "phase two" of Unicron's plan, but were ultimately defeated one by one. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}} As a result, Unicron encountered a unified alliance of Autobots, Decepticons, and Mini-Cons, who defeated him with the help of the Mini-Con Matrix. {{storylink|The End (Armada)|The End}}

{{--}}

====Force of Habit====
At the onset of the search for the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, alternate universes were only considered theoretical by Autobot scientists. The Singularity's uniquely strange readings, however, prompted some scientists to worry that the Singularity could spread to the hypothetical alternate universes. {{storylink|Force of Habit}}

====Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity====
[[File:Cyb ep43 planet x vs gigantion.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

When Megatron recklessly released Decepticon-flavored energon from Unicron's body, it interacted with the Autobot-flavored energon from Unicron's head. The resultant catastrophic reaction opened a [[Rift|rift in space]], a tear in the fabric of space which led to an alternate dimension. {{storylink|Ripped Up Space}} Within the [[Alpha Q's universe|new universe]], [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] released the seeds of the many planets destroyed by Unicron and used [[energon]] to restore them. {{storylink|Protection}}

After his return, [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] utilized another pocket dimension known as the [[fire dimension]] as his headquarters. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}}

In an alternate dimension, the denizens of the crime-ruled [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] learned that all life in their universe was slowly dying out. Utilizing their mastery of science, they discovered the planet [[Gigantion]] in another, more healthy dimension. Plotting to make Gigantion their new homeworld, Planet X's residents used a space warp to pull it into their own dimension and commenced a full-scale invasion. Unfortunately, Gigantion's residents fought back, utilizing the power of their [[Cyber Planet Key]] to successfully repel the invaders. The residents of Planet X ultimately proved to be their own undoing as they unleashed their ultimate weapon on Gigantion, only for the superweapon to backfire and blow their homeworld up. {{storylink|Challenge}} Despite this fact, the survivors of Planet X swore vengeance against Gigantion by any means necessary. [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]], and [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] were among those who traversed space for a way to destroy Gigantion, eventually entering into the service of the planet destroyer [[Unicron]] in exchange for Gigantion's assured destruction. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 9|''Cybertron'' Soundwave's profile}}

{{note|The ''Cybertron'' cartoon never clarified whether the native dimension of Planet X was a parallel universe of its own or simply a pocket dimension such as the fire dimension.}}

[[File:Cyb ep38 warp.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Centuries later, the Autobots of Cybertron utilized the space warp in the [[Skeleton Nebula]] to travel to the dimension where Gigantion had been transported to, seeking the Cyber Planet Key to end the [[Unicron Singularity]] crisis. {{storylink|Warp}} After securing the key, the Autobots built an enhanced [[space bridge]] to get them home again, though the difficulties of bending spacetime to get back cost [[Vector Prime]] his life. {{storylink|Guardian (episode)|Guardian}}

Sideways and Soundwave (and Laserbeak) later tried to make their own grab for the Cyber Planet Keys, but they were consumed in a huge reality-bending explosion from a clash between [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Showdown (Cybertron)|Showdown}} This turned out to be good for them, though, as when they were last seen, they had apparently found their way to a dimension containing an intact version of their homeworld! {{storylink|Beginning}}
{{--}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
A group of dimensionally-displaced Maximals and Predacons waged some version of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] in Alpha Q's universe, until the Alternity got involved to avert a catastrophic spacetime crash. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/03}}
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:InTheBeginning-VectorPrime.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"I do not, cannot, ''will'' not interfere (except in the various cases when I do.)"]]
The ''Transformers'' multiverse is but a fragment of the greater [[Omniverse]], an infinite set that contains every conceivable reality imaginable. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/21}} Between the multiverse and the omniverse lies the vaguely-defined "[[Megaverse]]", which encompasses both the primary ''Transformers'' multiverse and tangentially-connected realities that include [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]], the [[Animorphs]], and [[M.A.S.K.]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/11}} These are not clear-cut boundaries, however; different realities within the ''Transformers'' multiverse, such as [[Primax 984.0 Gamma]] or [[Lukas 577.25 Beta]], overlap with different omniversal dimensions. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/21}}

When and how the multiverse came into being is not clear, and [[Vector Prime]] has speculated that its true history may be unknowable—indeed, it might have retroactively appeared after [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|one iteration of Perceptor]] tampered with a duplicate of [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]]'s [[time case]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/27}} More common theories include the original [[Big Bang (event)|Big Bang]] spawning multiple pocket universes which then budded off to form their own full-fledged realities, [[The One]]'s creation of both Primus and Unicron causing multiple dimensional schisms, or the idea that the multiverse always existed in its present state, and that new realities only form when a [[Forest Lee|sufficiently powerful outside observer]] identifies and classifies them. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/25}} The [[Primax]] universal cluster is the largest and oldest of the group, which has led Vector Prime to speculate that it might contain the original universe from which all other realities spring from, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/11/01}} although the discovery of the [[Cymond]] cluster on the very edge of the multiverse suggests that it might be the "common ancestor" of all ''Transformers'' realities. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/15}}

[[File:BalancingActPart2-InfiniteCybertrons.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

A higher-dimensional phenomenon known as "[[trans-dimensional harmonic resonance]]" means that certain concepts, characters, and ideas repeat throughout the multiverse: in this way do most realities feature some version of Optimus, Megatron, and a war between their respective factions. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/24}} This kind of pattern may have something to do with how the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] acts as the "stable axis of the multiverse"; every iteration of the planet is connected on an infinite curve,{{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 22/06/2015}} and the destruction of the planet in any one reality threatens the inherent stability of that entire universe. The cascading ripple effect caused by one Cybertron's destruction can potentially jeopardize multiple timelines, as was the case when [[Scorponok (G1)|MegaZarak]] destroyed the Cybertron of [[G1 World|Primax 785.06 Alpha]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 22/06/2015}} {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}} When a reality is destroyed, vicious creatures emerge from the [[unspace|swirling void]] sandwiched between dimensions to consume whatever remains. The dreaded [[Hytherion]], who once drove [[Logos Prime]] mad, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/14}} is the most infamous of these beings, other notorious entities include [[House (entity)|House]], the [[Teeth With No Eyes]], the [[Langolier]]s, the [[Beforite]]s, the [[After All]]s, the [[Antevishnum]], the [[Abbadontus Hunger]], and the [[Ravagers of Time]]. Although these creatures are rightly feared for their malevolence and destructive potential, they play an important role in maintaining the overall health and stability of the multiverse by "pruning" damaged universes from the overall fabric of space-time. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/08/16}} Worse still were the cruel and inscrutable [[Elder God]]s, extra-dimensional beings who dwarfed even Primus and Unicron in power. {{Storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 5|Ramjet's profile in Club magazine #5}}

As the guardian of time, [[Vector Prime]] patrolled the multiverse for eons, and intervened when needed to preserve its essential stability; {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}} on one occasion, he and his [[Time Warrior (AVP)|Time Warriors]]s contended with [[Mogahn the Mass]], who absorbed entire star systems until Vector and his followers defeated him in a reality-spanning battle. {storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/12}} While Primus and Unicron slumbered, Vector, [[Nexus Prime]], [[Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|Alpha Trion]], and [[Solus Prime]] made the decision to split Nexus Prime into five pieces to conceal the location of the five fragments of Prima's [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword, a weapon that could destroy star systems, from their evil brother [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]. Using the blade of the Star Saber, Nexus Prime was cut into five other robots: [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]], and [[Heatwave (Timelines)|Heatwave]], who were subsequently scattered across the multiverse and lost to the ages. {{Storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

[[File:ProcessingRR.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

The higher-dimensional geography of the multiverse is loosely organized around the small [[Nexus]] universal cluster; as a result, dimensional travellers have a higher-than ordinary chance of ending up in the city of [[Axiom Nexus]] in universe [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 05/14/2015}} At first, the native [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s assumed these travelers to be mere extraplanetary travelers and gave them passage off-planet. However, the natives of Cybertron soon realized that these travelers were in fact from another Cybertron(s). With the existence of a multiverse of other Cybertrons confirmed, the TransTechs realized the pettiness of their internal disputes and began focusing on other universes. The TransTechs became the watchers of the multiverse, welcoming travelers from the various universes in the city of [[Axiom Nexus]] and sifting [[unspace|transwarp]] for beings who would otherwise die in mundane accidents involving transwarp-based transportation. Spearheaded by the efforts of [[Rhinox (TransTech)|Rhinox]], [[Prowl (TransTech)|Prowl]], and [[Silverbolt (TransTech)|Silverbolt]], they compiled an extensive, continually expanding catalog of the [[universal stream]]s, both existent and no longer existent. {{storylink|Withered Hope}} {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}}

Some universal clusters, like [[Xobitor]] and [[Cymond]], are considered "distant", and lie on the transitional boundary between the edge of the multiverse and the wider Megaverse. It is very rare, although not entirely unheard of, for travellers from these distant realities to end up in Axiom Nexus. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/06/29}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/19}} Other universal clusters with their own unique cosmology include the [[Malgus]] cluster, which lacks multiversal singularities due to the effects of the "the "non-linear WY-att pulse function", {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/22}} and the [[Lukas]] cluster, which overlaps with [[Star Wars (franchise)|other realities in the Omniverse]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/13}}

[[File:BalancingAct-UnicronSingularity.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Eventually, however, the "war of balance" between Primus and Unicron began again when the [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] of [[Primax 984.0 Gamma|one particular reality]] accidentally blasted Primus as he slumbered. His "cosmic scream" reverberated across the multiverse, allowing Unicron to find Primus and begin his battle against his ancient foe anew. Although the Cybertronians weakened Unicron when he attacked one such universe, the wounded but still living god kickstarted the dimension-spanning [[Universe War]] as he abducted beings from across the multiverse in a bid to restore his physical form. {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}}

Beyond the TransTech, other prominent multiversal guardians include the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]] and the Autobots of [[Cloud World]]; although they did not take a direct role in the Universe War, they worked in a behind-the-scenes capacity to defend stricken realities from the Hytherion. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/08}} The [[Unicron Singularity]] created by Unicron's destruction briefly posed an existential threat to the multiverse: its pull was so strong that even alternate Unicrons were drawn into it. The self-replicating singularity spread across many universes, merged their histories into a single messy timeline, and eventually threatened the entire multiverse. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], recently arrived on this Cybertron from the [[Universe War]], revealed that that conflict had abruptly ended when Unicron was destroyed as a result of the Singularity's effects spreading throughout the multiverse. Vector Prime understood that this indicated the threat posed by the black hole was more urgent than the inhabitants of one universe might be able to perceive. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}} Fortunately, the local Autobots of were able to restore Primus to power so that he could close the Singularity. {{storylink|Revelations Part 6}}

One particular universe would go onto enjoy a particularly fraught history: when universal stream [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]] branched off from [[Primax 984.0 Gamma|its parent timeline]], this new universe possessed a nearly identical frequency to [[Primax 984.0 Gamma|a completely unrelated timeline]]. After first destroying [[Primax 1291.0 Zeta|another tangent universe]], Primax 207.0 Espilson then began "overwriting" this sister universe. {{storylink|Withered Hope}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|The Complete AllSpark Almanac}} At first, the native [[GoBot]]s who inhabited this dimension sent a group of agents to Primax 207.0 Epsilon to try and intervene; they first wound up in Axiom Nexus by accident, {{storylink|Withered Hope}} and only [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]] eventually made it to their intended destination. When he failed in his mission, however, {{storylink|Games of Deception}} the GoBots put a contingency plan into play and coordinated a vast [[Diaspora|multiversal evacuation]] in which teams of dimension-hopping GoBots infiltrated other realities and posed as native Cybertronians. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/14}} As a result of repeated dimensional travel, however, some refugees like [[Crasher (GoBots)|Crasher]] were refracted and duplicated across multiple simultaneous universes. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/17}}

[[File:InvasionPrologue-Primes.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

In this same universe, the native [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] encountered [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]] and [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], who'd been drawn together on an elaborate multiversal quest. Together, the three encountered [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], who'd been sequestered in this universe and protected by the [[Caretaker]]. With the multiverse spiralling into entropy, the Caretaker supercomputer sent the group on to meet with another component of Nexus Prime: while Skyfall, Breakaway, and Landquake travelled on to Axiom Nexus, {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}} Cliffjumper wound up stranded in a [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|bizarre mirror universe]]. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}} After all of his components reformed into Nexus Prime, he and the heroic Quintesson [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]] spent some time travelling the multiverse in search of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}} Some years later, a group of evil Autobots from that same mirror universe invaded Primax 207.0 Epsilon and used [[Rarified Energon]] to destroy it. The Transformers on Earth wound up teleporting the entire planet into the negative-polarity universe, {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}} while all of the humans on the planet wound up shunted onto the Earth of [[Of Masters and Mayhem|a different alternate reality]] where [[Thunder Mayhem|an out-of-control Decepticon combiner]] had prematurely ended the Cybertronian war. {{storylink|Assembly (OMAM)|Assembly}}

The destruction of this universe proved a double-edged sword: thanks in part to the efforts of [[Lio Convoy]], who'd passed through the dimension and helped the remaining inhabitants of that universe buy some more time, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/14}} {{storylink|Sunrise}} the Cataclysm was ultimately forestalled. However, the destruction of that same reality caused entire dimensions to fold together or simply be ripped apart. To address the crisis, TransTech [[Optimus Prime (TransTech)|Optimus Prime]] broke the standard rules of [[Axiom Nexus]] and assembled the [[Convoy (group)|Convoy]]. {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}} The Convoy's formation was also necessitated by the defeat of the [[Hytherion]] by the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]], as there was no longer a beast of time to consume weakened and damaged universes. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}} One of the Convoy's first actions was to deploy [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] to the past of [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon]] to protect the [[Origin Matrix]]. {{storylink|Invasion: Epilogue}}

[[File:AnotherLight-Thirteen.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

For a long period of time, an impenetrable "quantum membrane" isolated the [[Uniend]] universal cluster from the rest of the multiverse until the passage of the [[Dark Spark]] from that reality to the [[Tyran]] cluster revealed its existence to the inhabitants of Axiom Nexus. Because of this, multiversal singularities like Vector Prime began absorbing the memories and traits of their Uniend counterparts. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/18}} However, this process would prove short-lived: by the time that a reunified Nexus Prime reunited the [[Origin Matrix]], reassembled the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], and seized the [[Terminus Blade]] from [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|its previous owner]], it was clear that the fabric of the multiverse had been irreparably damaged, {{storylink|Restoration}} and the defeat of the Hytherion at the hands of the Alternity left no natural mechanism to deal with dead and dying realities. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/08}}

In a last-ditch attempt to stabilize spacetime, Nexus Prime brought together the relics he'd gathered at a key point in interdimensional space and used them to rewrite the fabric of reality: his attempt to "seal the doorways between universes" would have a unique effect on [[Multiversal singularity|multiversal singularities]] like himself, and he would be forever altered by his actions. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}} From this point on, the concept of multiversal singularies ceased to exist and multiversal travel was rendered much harder, effectively stranding all of the many Offworlders in Axiom Nexus with no way to return home. The TransTech dubbed this phenomenon "the [[Shroud]]", and its effects proved retroactive—multiversal singularities had ''never'' existed, and each universe could now contain a new version of Primus, Unicron, or the Thirteen or none at all. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

[[File:EpilogueTwo-NegativeMultiverse.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

While trying to recalibrate their monitoring arrays to adjust to the new reality they faced, Rhinox and Vector Prime identified nine specific universes as "pillar realities", streams with an unusually high number of branching points and quantum echoes: [[Primax 984.0 Gamma]], [[Primax 984.17 Alpha]], [[Primax 496.22 Alpha]], [[Viron 901.8 Alpha]], [[Aurex 802.23 Alpha]], [[Primax 1005.19 Gamma]], [[Tyran 707.04 Delta]], [[Malgus 1207.26 Alpha]], and [[Uniend 911.05 Alpha]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/11/05}}

Later that year, fear spread across Axiom Nexus when it looked like the entire multiverse had been destroyed. As it turned out, [[Waspinator (TransTech)|Waspinator]] had merely misinterpreted the sight of Rhinox shutting down some now-obsolete monitoring equipment in the wake of the Shroud and had phoned in a panicked tip. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/12/31}} The creation of the Shroud had a final, unexpected consequence: in a negative-polarity Axiom Nexus, [[Rhinox (SG TransTech)|Rhinox]] and [[Airazor (SG TransTech)|Airazor]] successfully discovered an entire, previously hidden, negative multiverse that corresponded to the positive-polarity multiverse. {{storylink|Epilogue Two}}

{{--}}

===''Animated''===
[[Image:Blackarachnia_Venus_Mag_by_BillForster.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
The destruction of [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]] left a quantum vacuum that [[Primax 512.5 Gamma]] went on to occupy. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|Ask Vector Prime, The Complete AllSpark Almanac}} [[Tyran]] universes undergo a particularly high rate of divergence, perhaps due to the malign influence of [[The Fallen]], whose evil spans multiple dimensions. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|Ask Vector Prime, The Complete AllSpark Almanac}}

A trans-dimensional [[Vector Prime]] observed some of the events in the [[Transformers Animated (comic)|''Transformers Animated'' comic]] and identified that they took place in the same reality as the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|cartoon]]: universal stream [[Malgus 1207.26 Alpha]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}} A time-traveller from the distant future named [[Natasha Pyraniac]] interfered with the timestream, and Vector Prime explained that as a result outside observers would notice minor changes in that universe's history. Multiple iterations of [[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]] have been known to hop dimensions; {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|Ask Vector Prime, The Complete AllSpark Almanac}} according to the unreliable testimony of one Sideways, he had [[Sideways (Animated)|previously visited this universe]] and escaped to the Tyran cluster by using a black hole. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Sideways, 8/7/2015}}

''[[Venus (magazine)|Venus]]'' was a trans-dimensional magazine, {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}} while ''[[ALTernity Today]]'' covered newsworthy events from across the multiverse. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} [[Jim Sorenson (Animated)|Jim Sorenson]] and [[Bill Forster (Animated)|Bill Forster]] traveled from their home universal stream of [[Quadwal -3760.925 Theta]] where they wrote the ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|AllSpark Almanac]]''. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}
{{--}}

===Unit:E===
[[File:UnitE-multiverse.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

The world of the Transformers was just one universe in a multiverse of limitless possibilities. (Other possibilities included [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]], [[M.A.S.K.]], [[Jem]], and {{w|Stretch Armstrong|a couple}} [[Micronauts (franchise)|other guys]] [[Action Man|you]] {{w|Drizzt Do'Urden|might}} {{w|Candy Land|know}}.) The mysterious organization known as "Unit: E" operated in the "slipstream" beyond the spacetime continuum and used this vantage point to explore and protect different worlds. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}
{{--}}

===''Cloud''===
At the beginning of all time and space, the "Spacetime World" came into being in a [[Big Bang (event)|massive explosion]]. Seeking a means of maintaining the integrity of the many fractal dimensions composing this multiverse that would come to be known as "Spacetimes," the [[Creator of Life]] made a universe, "[[Cloud World]]" full of machines designed to maintain the multiversal fabric, and dispatched to it an emissary named [[SARA]] to guide them. In time, the robots of Cloud World evolved into [[Transformer|sapient super-robot lifeforms]], complete with transformation abilities. The Transformers of the Cloud World cherished SARA and embraced the task the Creator asked of them using [[Dimension Gate]]s created by SARA. In addition to their other duties they gathered surplus energy from a myriad of sources in different universes for SARA so that she might continue to maintain Cloud World's integrity. In time, these Transformers came to be known as the [[Autobot#Cloud|Spacetime Police]]. Unsurprisingly, the people of Cloud World regarded SARA as holy and their rulers saw that she was kept under strict guard. {{storylink|Prologue}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
[[File:AngryBirdsTransformers1-quantumtunnel.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

During a battle in space between the Autobots and Decepticons, the [[AllSpark]] briefly tumbled into a [[unspace|quantum tunnel]] into another universe populated by angry birds and mischievous pigs. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers issue 1|Angry Birds Transformers #1}} Eventually, however, the transformed "Autobirds" sent the AllSpark back through the tunnel from whence it had came, and accidentally sent one of the [[Minion Pig]]s to this [[Generation 1 continuity family|alternate universe]]. {{storylink|Hard Boiled}}

{{--}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''Portal''====
{{stub|[[Transformers: Portal]]}}

===''Go-Bots'' comic===
[[File:GoBots5-Multiverse.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

After assuming leadership over the [[GoBot|Go-Bots]], [[Road Ranger]] announced that they would create a [[Transformer|new race of Go-Bots]], who would populate [[Cybertron (planet)|copies of their metal homeworld]] across the entire multiverse. {{storylink|Go-Bots issue 5|Go-Bots #5}}

{{--}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:TheScientist-AlternateSoundwaves.jpg|thumb|left|300px|This place is a real who's-who of who's you and me.]]
The [[Quintesson]]s were a trans-dimensional race of beings who used their [[multiverse drive]] technology to travel across infinity and assimilate beings native to that timeline into new [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judges]], who would pass judgement on individual universes. Realities that did not pass judgement were destroyed with vast quantities of lethal [[unspace]], which collapsed realities from within. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe I}} The Quintesson [[Scientist (Cyberverse)|Scientist]] developed a hobby of abducting different iterations of [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] from the many doomed realities he'd destroyed. {{storylink|The Scientist}}

After the [[Ark (Cyberverse)|''Ark'']] wound up stranded in [[unspace]], the Autobots encountered multiple versions of themselves from other realities who had all met the same fate, including a crew of Autobots from a reality where [[Rack'n'Ruin (Cyberverse)|Rack'n'Ruin]] led the Autobots. [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] and his alternate-universe counterpart theorized that unspace must be the meeting place of the multiverse. {{storylink|The Crossroads}}

During the Quintesson invasion of Cybertron, [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] and [[Dead End (Cyberverse)|Dead End]] stole the multiverse drive and travelled to other realities. {{storylink|The Judge (episode)|The Judge}} Their journey gave Megatron the ability to channel exotic energy, {{storylink|The End Of The Universe IV}} before he landed in a reality where he'd won the [[Great War (Cyberverse)|Great War]] and stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from his [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|that universe's Megatron]]. {{storylink|Silent Strike}} Along with his [[Decepticon supersoldier]]s, that alternate Megatron crossed over to the primary universe to reclaim his Matrix only to be defeated and left paralyzed. Eager for vengeance on his old master, [[Astrotrain (Cyberverse)|Astrotrain]] took the alternate Megatron within him and announced his intention to keep him trapped forever. {{storylink|The Other One}} After Megatron X perished, the remaining Decepticon supersoldiers invaded the dimension that they'd once imperiled, but eventually laid down their arms after the death of their leader [[Tarn (Cyberverse)|Tarn]]. {{storylink|The Perfect Decepticon}}
{{--}}
===''Legacy''===
{{stub|TakaraTomy toy bios}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''DreamMix TV World Fighters''===
To boost the ratings of the ''[[World Fighters]]'' TV show, [[Mujoe]] and [[Haruna]] invited beings from several different worlds, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], to compete on the show. {{storylink|DreamMix TV World Fighters}}

===''Transformers Battle Universe''===
At the edge of time, the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] summoned warriors from [[Generation 1 continuity family|multiple]] [[Movie continuity family|different]] [[Animated continuity family|realities]] to choose a new host. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
[[File:RiseOfTheDarkSpark-G1OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

In [[Aligned continuity family|one universe]], the Autobots battled to keep the malevolent [[Dark Spark]], a trans-dimensional artifact of pure malice, out of [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s hands. The subsequent battle blasted the Dark Spark into [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|another universe]], where the bounty hunter [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] briefly seized it. However, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|that universe's Optimus Prime]] was able to keep Lockdown occupied long enough for [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] to remove the Dark Spark, and Prime subsequently used the Matrix to send the Dark Spark through time and space into [[Generation 1 continuity family|yet another universe]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{gamestub|[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]}}

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
A spatial warp field pulled [[Marissa Faireborn]] and the Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] crash-landed on an [[New Quintessa|unknown planet]] in another universe, where they encountered multiple Autobots and Decepticons from [[Live-action film series|another reality]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}

===''Transformers: Battlegrounds''===
Upon using an unstable [[space bridge|spacebridge]], [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] warned them that the passage could strand them in unspace, a nexus point where multiple timelines collided, and excitedly theorized about the existence of other universes before [[Arcee (Cyberverse)|Arcee]] reined him in. {{storylink|Transformers: Battlegrounds}}

==Notes==
*When originally developing what would become the [[Aligned continuity family]], [[Aaron Archer]] and [[Rik Alvarez]] suggested that it was entirely separate from the rest of the ''Transformers'' multiverse.<ref name="allspark2011botcon">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=79726 AllSpark.com live transcript of Archer and Alvarez's 2011 BotCon panel]</ref> When asked about [[The Fallen]] and how his status as a [[multiversal singularity]] would relate to the new fiction, Hasbro replied "anything you know from past generations of the brand may or may not be factual in the new continuity".<ref name="fallen">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=74182&view=findpost&p=1675011 Allspark.com Hasbro Q&A, Nov. 2010]</ref> Notably, its version of the [[Thirteen]] included characters like [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], choices that were largely irreconcilable with the lore that [[Fun Publications]] had previously laid out. Eventually, however, this conceit would be quietly dropped: the profile cards for Aligned [[Slipstream (WFC)#TransTech|Slipstream]]'s [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service|TFSS]] toy and the online comic "[[Timeless]]" involved the cast of ''TransTech'' glimpsing events from the Aligned universe. After multiple creative shakeups and a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|new direction]] for the Aligned continuity as a whole, the ''[[Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|Complete AllSpark Almanac]]'' and [[Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter]] confirmed that Aligned took place in the "[[Uniend]]" universal cluster; that same year, any and all singularity-related discrepancies were later handwaved away via the introduction of the [[Shroud]].
*2011's ''[[Infestation (IDW)|Infestation]]'' crossover event featured [[Britt]] invading and corrupting four separate universes: ''[[2005 IDW continuity|Transformers]]'', ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'', ''[[Star Trek]]'', and ''[[Ghostbusters]]''. Just five years later, however, IDW's "[[Hasbro Universe]]" initiative retconned both ''Transformers'' and ''G.I. Joe'' together by revealing that they'd always taken place in the same reality, meaning that Britt attacked the same universe twice. Less than a year later, ''[[Revolutionaries]]'' [[Strange Visitors|#5]] established that events identical to "[[Infestation 2]]" had also played out in the past of IDW's primary ''Transformers'' timeline—meaning that the [[Elder God]]s simultaneously attacked two nigh-identical realities.
*A dropped plotline in ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets the Eye]]'' would've featured the original [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] travelling the multiverse, searching for a way to return to his original timeline. At some point, he would've jumped into the world of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK comic]] in the midst of the "[[Target: 2006]]" storyline and encountered that reality's [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]].<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/james-roberts-ama-mtmte-ll-questions-answered-transcript.1164603/ Transcription of 30 November 2018 James Roberts Q&A on Instagram]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Tagen'uchū''' (多元宇宙), '''multiverse''' (マルチバース ''maruchibāsu''), '''Multi-Verse of Eternity''' (無限の世界 ''Mugen no Sekai'')<ref>[[World of the Transformers]]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Cyberverse (2018)]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Regeneration One]]
[[Category:TransTech]]
[[Category:Unicron Trilogy]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]
[[Category:Universes]]

Starscream (WFC)

2023-06-11T15:47:56Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Regeneration One */

{{faction|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Starscream}}
{{suite}}
:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[File:StarscreamPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|In a cruel twist of fate, perhaps the most legitimately competent Starscream ever, but no one will take him seriously for even a minute.]]
'''Starscream''' was an Air Commander of the [[Energon]] [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s finest air warriors. His dream was to recover the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and become the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] that would return the Transformers to the [[Golden Age]], and he saw opportunity with the rebel upstart [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. A patient and polite schemer, Starscream used to wish Megatron would drop the heroic anti-[[caste system|caste]] charade and be more honest about his lust for power.

These days, he alternatively wishes Megatron would stop being obsessed with ''his'' lust for power and chafes under having to work for such a madman. While he serves as Megatron's right-hand man, he constantly looks for a way to become the commander himself and Megatron knows it: Starscream's extremely volatile personality means he is not adept at hiding his true intent. Fortunately for Megatron, Starscream is prone to panic, cowardice and bombastic gestures, meaning that it'd take exceptional circumstances for Starscream to actually manage to get behind him to shove the knife in.

He may be a scientist, but [[#Notes|we're not quite sure]].

{{quote|That shot was perfect, much like the one who fired it!|Starscream after achieving a headshot|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Aligned novels===
Starscream may or may not have had a history as a scientist. Regardless of what he did prior, in the early days before the war began he was one of the leaders of the Cybertronian Air Command. When [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] fell into chaos following bombings by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s [[Decepticon]] followers, Starscream was posted as [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]]'s bodyguard. He was with the Prime at [[Altihex]] Casino during a performance by comedian [[Armorhide (WFC)|Armorhide]] when the Decepticons attacked. Sentinel's attempt to flee rather than fight back made Starscream ashamed of his leader, so he had [[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] take him to [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] Prison rather than the safety of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. This earned him loyalty with Megatron, but wary of how sour a revolution could quickly turn Starscream opted not to be directly involved in the gladiator's operations, posting his Seekers at [[Moonbase One|Moon Base One]] and [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] Station. Megatron was intrigued by why Starscream wanted to occupy "that semi-sentient pile of junk" but despite [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]]'s research they found no clues, with information regarding the Station seemingly censored.

Whenever Starscream's Seekers were present, the Decepticons were victorious in battle against the [[Autobot]]s. Starscream however, found Megatron's strategies overly convoluted. As the war devolved into a siege of Iacon, Megatron and [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]], by probing into forgotten areas of the [[DataNet]], discovered Trypticon was a storage of [[Dark Energon]], the life essence of [[Unicron]]. When questioned, Starscream explained since even the Air Command was not sure what Dark Energon was, he had forbidden its use, fearing the damage Megatron's gladiators would unleash. Megatron forgave Starscream, noting how he "was smart enough to be afraid of it", and was granted access.

Starscream sent a message to the Autobots proposing a meeting. Optimus only granted him a communication channel. Starscream stated if the Autobots did not know what Dark Energon was (they did) they would need to find out—and asked what would he could expect from them if something happened to Megatron. Optimus replied that he sought a just peace. Starscream said he understood, broke off the conversation and flew to [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] Prison where Sentinel was held. Starscream offered Sentinel a chance to redeem his cowardly behavior at Altihex. The ultimate aim of this road to becoming Decepticon leader was to become [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] in a peace settlement with Optimus, and lead Cybertron back to its [[Golden Age]]. Starscream then flew to Moon Base One when Megatron ordered him to Trypticon, where he found the Decepticons had invaded the Station and slaughtered and maimed his scientists.

Megatron and [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] forced Starscream to select two survivors to absorb [[Dark Energon]], for what was a successful experiment. Requiring more for the Decepticon war effort, Megatron ordered Starscream to capture the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]], below the ruins of [[Crystal City]]. Empowered by his first taste of Dark Energon, Starscream activated the device that transmitted Energon to the Station for it to be Darkened. But the Bridge still did not produce enough, and Starscream was ordered to find the [[Code Key]] of Power and Key of Justice to the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] underneath the [[High Council Tower]] in Iacon. Starscream decided it was time to release Sentinel, renouncing Dark Energon after realizing Megatron had turned his soldiers into addicts. Starscream found the Key of Power within the [[High Council Tower|Hall of Justice]] and flew underground to find his plan had failed, as Megatron had mortally wounded Sentinel. He could see within Sentinel's body was the Key of Justice, but was prevented from taking it by [[Blackout (WFC)|Blackout]]. Megatron fought Starscream to a standstill, sparing him because he realized he was a better soldier than a would-be example.

As Megatron entered the Chamber, [[Teletraan-1 (WFC)|Teletraan-1]] activated the legendary [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] to fly it away. Aware Starscream had a better chance of escaping Omega's awakening, Megatron ordered Starscream and his Seekers to down Omega, in exchange for more Dark Energon. Giving up on his attempt to give up his addiction, Starscream gleefully accepted and they successfully blew Omega out of the sky, allowing the Decepticons to retrieve the Chamber and corrupt the [[core]]. As Cybertron became uninhabitable, the Autobots left on the largest starship ever built - the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]''. Starscream left the planet with Megatron as they gave pursuit on Trypticon, now a ''Nemesis''-class supercruiser. The two ships entered a [[space bridge]], which separated the two ships to unknown parts of space... {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

{{note|Starscream's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic "[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]."}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Uniend 610.23 Zeta]], {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}} Starscream lead the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s in the Battle at [[Tyger Pax]]. Focused on taking the pressure off the Decepticons' vulnerable rear, Starscream opened fire on [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] to protect [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], and then forced the Autobot into a retreat, despite [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]'s attempts to bring Starscream down.

After the [[AllSpark]] was launched into space, Starscream, stunned and damaged, tumbled out of control and crashed on the surface of Tyger Pax, though he recovered in time to retreat with Megatron. {{storylink|Bumblebee at Tyger Pax}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====IDW Aligned comics====
Visiting [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]'s citadel to check up on his research, Starscream was annoyed to find that the scientist was prioritizing his experiments on [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] over supplying the Decepticon war effort with more energon. He failed to see how the "bugs" would win them the war but gave up on trying to convince Shockwave otherwise, choosing to let Megatron deal with him instead. {{storylink|Secrets (FOC)|Secrets}} Starscream later participated in Megatron's assault on [[Metroplex (FOC)|Autobot City]]. {{storylink|Last Stand}} {{storylink|Fragmentation (FOC)|Fragmentation}}

While [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]]'s mind was suffering from Shockwave's experiments, he had a vision of himself being approached by Starscream and throwing him into a nearby console. {{storylink|Fall}} This vision eventually came to pass, and Grimlock was able to escape from Shockwave's lab by exploiting Starscream's greed and lust for power. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 4|Rage of the Dinobots #4}}

[[File:Primecomic-Starscream.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|I am okay with the events that are unfolding currently.]]
Starscream had been on [[Earth]] at some point, but was assigned by Megatron to scour the galaxy for remnants of space bridge technology. Returning to their dead homeworld, Starscream built a weapons lab in Kaon and began building a space bridge. He was informed by his [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s elsewhere they had apprehended the Autobot spy [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. Later, after basking in the glory of successfully activating the space bridge that would return them to Earth and its [[Energon]], Starscream realized Cliffjumper was present. The Autobot claimed to be freed by his captors after defecting to the Decepticons, and warned them of [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]]: this ruse successfully distracted Starscream long enough for Arcee to activate and overload the space bridge, but he jumped in after them moments before the lab was blown sky high.

Falling to Earth, a dazed Starscream picked up a [[bunny rabbit]], commenting that [[human]]s were smaller than he remembered. [[Scanning]] a fleet of jets flying overhead, he found Cliffjumper and Arcee driving on a road and launched a missile at them. He picked up Arcee's blown off arm and started battering Cliffjumper with it, but the Autobot blew up the rock formation above them and crushed Starscream with the rubble. Having received Starscream's signal, [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] came to his rescue, and the duo pursued and overwhelmed the Autobots. Just as Starscream was about to send them back to the [[AllSpark]], Optimus jumped and landed on him, while gunning Breakdown away. As Starscream greeted his opponent, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] tapped him on the shoulder and sent him flying. Optimus opted not to finish the job, allowing Starscream to escape and fight another day as he got Cliffjumper and Arcee to base. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|Transformers: Prime}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Steve Blum]] (English), [[Satoshi Tsuruoka]] (Japanese)|[[Jiang Ke]] (Chinese), [[Leopoldo Ballesteros]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Jin-uk Hong]] (Korean), [[Gianluca Iacono]] (Italian), [[Gerald Paradies]] (German), [[José Antonio Macías]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Nicolas Dubois]] (French), [[Nestor Chiesse]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Tero Koponen]] (Finnish), [[Gunnar Ernblad]] (Swedish)}}

[[File:DarknessRising1-Starscreamsneer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|One look sells him as Starscream.]]
Before Starscream joined Megatron and the Decepticons, he was commander of a squadron of Energon Seekers on Cybertron. {{Storylink|Partners (Prime)|Partners}} During the War, Starscream was present at [[Tyger Pax]] when [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] interrogated the Autobot [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}}

Following the [[Great Exodus]], Starscream intercepted a coded Autobot transmission and managed to trap [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. When his interrogation methods failed to extract anything he could use to decode the transmission, he took them to [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]], who used a [[cortical psychic patch]] on Arcee and revealed the transmission to be from Optimus Prime on [[Earth]]. Upon being questioned by Cliffjumper of his lack of bravery, Starscream tried to kill the Autobot only to be captured by Arcee. Upon being threatened by Arcee, he cracked and revealed Shockwave's plan; to build a space bridge under Kaon. Starscream was then knocked out but regained contentiousness and pursued the two Autobots to the space bridge. Unfortunately, the space bridge was destroyed with Shockwave, Cliffjumper, and Arcee still inside, but Starscream was able to escape. Starscream presumably took the Decepticons to Earth via the Nemesis soon after. {{storylink|Out of the Past}}

When the Decepticons arrived on Earth, Starscream scouted an old Decepticon ship called the ''[[Harbinger]]'' that had crashed landed years back. However, he failed to record the coordinates of the crash site or find the [[Immobilizer]]. {{Storylink|Partners (Prime)|Partners}} In time, Megatron departed Earth to gather an army out in space, leaving Starscream in charge. Starscream spent his time sending out [[Vehicon (Prime)|Decepticon grunts]] to search for [[Energon]] deposits{{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}, and managed to set up a lucrative energon mine in secret. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}

Three years later, one of Starscream's energon searches was interrupted by Cliffjumper. Once Cliffjumper was defeated by the Vehicons, Starscream personally killed the Autobot. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] alerted him to Arcee's location, and Starscream decided she would be their next target. Later, when Soundwave received a signal from deep space, Starscream hesitantly opened the space bridge for Megatron's return. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Megatron revealed to Starscream that he'd brought back [[Dark Energon]], and Starscream provided Cliffjumper's corpse so they could test the substance's reanimation properties. When the undead Cliffjumper's signal led the Autobots to the mine, Starscream blew the facility up on Megatron's orders. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

[[File:DarknessRising3-interrogateFowler.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"No, Mister Fowler, I expect you to be saved at the last minute!"]]
Following a test of Dark Energon on himself, Megatron took off for parts unknown, leaving Starscream in charge once more. When Soundwave picked up [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]]'s transmissions, Starscream had the human captured and began trying to extract the location of the Autobot base from him. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}} The interrogation almost succeeded, but for the arrival of Arcee, Bumblebee and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] who, after a standoff, forced Starscream to retreat. Once Megatron returned to the ship, he was outraged at Starscream's actions and proceeded to beat his subordinate for "delaying his plans". Starscream managed to quell his master's anger by announcing he had a way to get their plans back on course. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}}

[[File:DarknessRising5-ohgeez.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Oh my God. It's called toothpaste, use it.]]
As it turned out, his plan was to send Soundwave down to use the [[Giant Sized Array]] radio telescope on Earth to set the space bridge's target. Once the bridge was properly targeted, Starscream opened it so that Megatron could throw the chunk of Dark Energon though. Starscream moved the ship back to a safe distance when the fighting on the rim of the space bridge became more intense, while imploring his master to withdraw as well. Alas, the space bridge exploded, apparently taking Megatron with it, and Starscream gave a brief eulogy before declaring himself leader {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}} and danced in celebration while imploring the troops to chant his name. {{storylink|Patch (episode)|Patch}}
[[File:Patch Starscream dances.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|What'cha doin' on your back?! You should be dancing, YEAH!!!!]]

[[File:Masters&Students-SoundwaveStarscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|*ping*"FINE! FINE! I'LL WRITE A THANK-YOU NOTE!"]]
Starscream's speeches were poorly received. Intending to find more potentially-loyal warriors, Starscream took Soundwave to try to revive the long-dormant [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]. To Starscream's disappointment, Skyquake was loyal only to Megatron, and interested only in fighting the Autobots who arrived. A signal detected by Soundwave sent Starscream to the location of the space bridge explosion, where he found Megatron's body and ripped the sliver of Dark Energon from it. He was forced by the observing [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] to return the body to the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', where he also learned that Skyquake had been terminated by the Autobots. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

When [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] arrived on Earth, Starscream had him captured and substituted [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] with the mission to open the Autobot [[GroundBridge]] to let the Decepticon forces into the Autobot base. Unfortunately Wheeljack broke free before the plan could succeed, and as a result, Makeshift was expelled from the Autobot base onto the ''Nemesis'' hull with an activated grenade. Starscream vacated the hull before Makeshift exploded. {{storylink|Con Job}} After Soundwave picked up on [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System|another Autobot operation]], Starscream figured it was a good opportunity to get rid of the Autobots while they were distracted, and sent a squadron of Vehicons on a search and destroy mission. {{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}}

[[File:DeusExMachina-Screamer grins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"We've had too much Energon shed. I think that a cleansing is in order."]]
To Starscream's discomfort, the crew held a vote and he was obliged to call in [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] to aid in Megatron's recovery. The discovery that an [[Energon Harvester]] was located in an museum on Earth was all the excuse Starscream needed to put that on hold, and the other Decepticons soon obtained the device for him. While they were testing it in [[Greece]], Bulkhead attacked them and destroyed the Harvester. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} Starscream was irritated by Knock Out's participation in street racing, and eventually decided to make an example of him. {{storylink|Speed Metal}}

[[File:OutOfHisHead-grabby.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|That's ''not'' how ATB Megatron and Starscream combine!]]
Some time later, after the ship's electromagnetic shielding failed, Starscream put the Vehicons to work fixing it. Offering Knock Out a post as second-in-command, Starscream persuaded him to help convince Soundwave that Megatron was a lost cause. They were interrupted by Arcee and Bumblebee, who were doing something with Megatron's corpse, and after chasing the two Autobots off, they discovered that Megatron no longer had any brain activity. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} Overjoyed at this, Starscream began a new plan, constructing a heat ray which he attempted to use to melt a glacier to get to a huge [[energon]] deposit. Unfortunately, not only did the Autobots arrive and destroy the heat ray, but Megatron was resurrected and dragged the protesting Starscream away for punishment. {{storylink|Out of His Head}}

[[File:Shadowzone-gah.jpg|thumb|225px|Damn, in [[Starscream (Movie)|another continuity]] the arm comes off and they mock it in this one.]]
Starscream ended up in the infirmary as a result of Megatron's punishment, but continued undaunted in his plans. He took the chunk of Dark Energon he'd been hiding, and went to the site of Skyquake's grave, intending to resurrect the warrior as well as imbuing himself with Dark Energon. Unfortunately the Autobots arrived before Skyquake rose, and Starscream had to retreat through the Decepticon GroundBridge, albeit minus his right arm. After subjecting himself to treatment from Knock Out, Starscream returned to the site to confirm whether Skyquake had risen, only to be attacked by Skyquake's zombified right arm. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}}

When Breakdown was captured to [[MECH]], Starscream's suggestion they rescue their comrade was turned down by Megatron. Starscream went anyway, and found Breakdown had already been rescued by Bulkhead, but escorted Breakdown back to the ship. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}} At an old energon mine, Megatron confronted Starscream about his many transgressions and prepared to terminate his subordinate. Starscream was only saved by the arrival of the Autobots, but on escaping the collapsed mine, realized that he would have to go back in and attempt to rescue Megatron, or face his master's possible wrath later. Venturing back inside, he ended up tangling with the Autobots, and when Megatron later found him, he had been left supporting a large boulder. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}

[[File:Partners-ScreamPrisoner.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Why am I always seen like this? Chest and lower body off to one side, head towards y'all.]]
Starscream was sent with [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] to locate the ''Harbinger'' wreck, only for the spider to leave him webbed up when it turned out the ship was broken in half and the weapon they sought was in the other half. Starscream was found by the Autobots and attempted to convince them he wanted to switch sides, even pointing them to the location of the weapon Airachnid was after. Unfortunately he let slip he'd been the one to kill Cliffjumper, provoking Arcee into attacking him. After fighting her, he was able to limp away, though he decided from then on he would be an independent. {{storylink|Partners (Prime)|Partners}}

Many months later, Starscream snuck on board the ''Nemesis'' to steal [[energon cube]]s and blundered into the workroom that was being used by the recently-amnesiac Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Starscream soon realized what was going on, but when more Vehicons arrived, he was wounded while fleeing the ship. He contacted the Autobots to exchange information for medical help. When [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] and Bulkhead arrived, it turned out they already knew about Optimus's situation, but were interested in what he knew about the space bridge, so he was able to trade the information for aid. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}}

[[File:OperationBumblebee1 Silas meets Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Wanna know how I got these scars?"]]
Tracking a signal, Starscream stumbled upon a MECH trap already sprung by Bumblebee. He was intrigued and followed the MECH helicopter and watched as they tried to install the [[transformation cog|T-cog]] they'd taken into a robot. When their attempt to make the robot work failed, Starscream revealed himself and managed to strike a partnership with them. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} With Starscream's help, MECH secured a source of energon and Starscream was there when they used it on their robot. As Bumblebee came looking for his T-cog, Starscream helped defend it, but when it looked like Bumblebee might get it back, Starscream blasted it and left. Unfortunately Silas was less than impressed, and after a short nap thanks to MECH's weapons, Starscream woke up minus his own T-cog. {{Storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

When [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] arrived on Earth looking for Skyquake, Megatron informed him of Skyquake's passing, noting that Skyquake had perished under Starscream's command. {{storylink|Loose Cannons}}

[[File:Crossfire Starscream injured.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|Ouch.]]
While scavenging for energon, Starscream found that Airachnid had been cast out from the Decepticons and obtained a pet in the form of an [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]. She spurned his suggestion that they team up to defeat Megatron, and he barely escaped with his life. Wounded, he employed his previous trick to get medical help from the Autobots in exchange for information about Airachnid's activities, and even later saved Arcee from Airachnid, sparing her life like she spared his much, much earlier. {{storylink|Crossfire (Prime)|Crossfire}}

Starscream returned to the ''Harbinger'' in search of energon, and instead found a laboratory containing five [[protoform]]s and the equipment necessary for [[cloning]]. He had soon whipped up five [[Starscream clone (Prime)|Starscream clone]]s, which he dispatched to dispatch Megatron. Unfortunately he soon discovered that he could sympathetically feel every injury they suffered, which gave him a good idea how the mission was going. When the last clone returned to report failure, Starscream sensed the clone's treachery and blasted it. Fully aware of the effect on him, he terminated the clone, screaming in their shared pain as he did. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}}

[[File:Triangulation Starscream Apex armor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.34|Starscream SMASH!]]
He was about to operate on himself to install the clone's T-cog when the ship detected the Decepticons sending teams out to locations around the globe. Intrigued, he used the ship's GroundBridge to reach [[Antarctica]], only to be captured by Dreadwing, whom he at first mistook for Skyquake. Eventually, Optimus arrived, and after Dreadwing was buried in an avalanche and the Vehicons accompanying him were dispatched, Starscream now found himself as Optimus's prisoner. The two followed a trail to a human research station where the relic everyone was after was being held. Dreadwing soon arrived and another battle between him and Optimus took place. As they fought, Starscream freed the relic, the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], from the ice block containing it and claimed it as his own. Covered in a full body suit and towering over both of them, Starscream used the armor to fight both Optimus and Dreadwing, a fight in which he was the aggressor for once in a long time. Though Starscream had enhanced strength and was rendered invulnerable, he still couldn't fly, and a few of Dreadwing's bombs created a hole in the ice which he fell through. He was subsequently forced to plod along the bottom of the ocean. {{storylink|Triangulation}}

[[File:NewRecruit-Starscreammonkey.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Next on his list of cat-related videos is Nyan Ravage.]]
Back at the ''Harbinger'', Starscream discovered a photo of [[Red Energon]] on the [[Internet]], as well as a dancing monkey which came as much amusement to him. He took the Apex Armor with him, tracking the substance down to a dockyard where he was confronted by Optimus, Arcee and Bumblebee. Donning the armor, he attempted to retrieve the Red Energon first, and managed to rip a chunk off after Optimus knocked him off the crane. While he was trying to tip the crane over, [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] arrived, and using a [[phase shifter]], removed Starscream from the Apex Armor. The Decepticon responded by firing a missile at the three Autobots on the crane and escaping with a chunk of Red Energon. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

Starscream set about refining the Red Energon, though the process was slow and only yielded enough for one or two doses. Alerted to a Decepticon operation by the ''Harbinger''{{'}}s computers, he used it on himself and soon found Smokescreen had uncovered a relic. Using his new hyperspeed to blindside him, Starscream was able to obtain one of the [[Omega Key]]s, which he later overheard Bulkhead describing as a way to revitalize Cybertron. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

[[File:TFP Inside Job Starscream fistful of keys.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|SQUEE! I've collected all four!]]
Though thinking of restoring Cybertron and ruling it himself, Starscream decided that he didn't have the proper resources to do so. Coming up with a plan, Starscream lured Optimus, Ratchet and Bulkhead to a remote location with the promise of the key he'd found in return for the installation of the T-Cog from his clone. In reality, he used his remaining Red Energon to allow him to infiltrate the Autobot base while leaving the clone behind for the Autobots to find. While stealing the other three keys from, the Autobots figured out his clone was a ruse, and Starscream only just managed to get back through the Ground Bridge. After taking a moment to taunt the Autobots, the Red Energon wore off, and he quickly bridged away to the ''Nemesis'', with the Omega Keys as a peace offering to Megatron. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

[[File:PatchMegatronStarscream.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.4| This feels familiar...]]
Requesting to rejoin the Decepticons, the unconvinced Megatron subjected Starscream to a cortical psychic patch and began rummaging in his memories to determine his true motives. Despite the incriminating nature of most of the memories, Megatron's analysis of Starscream's strengths and weaknesses (including the loss of his T-cog and the fact that Starscream is not the only untrustworthy Decepticon on the Nemesis), has him decide to allow Starscream to serve by his side, as he is better with him than against him. Starscream was so relieved by the turn of events that he thanked the All Spark, but Dreadwing was not so pleased about this development. {{storylink|Patch (episode)|Patch}}

[[File:RegenerationOmegaKeysHologram.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4| now he can find the [[Cyber Planet Keys]] again]]
Knock Out restored Starscream's T-Cog, though immediately afterwards Starscream was attacked by a murderous Dreadwing and had to be saved by Megatron. After Starscream helped Knock Out unlock the secret of the Omega Keys, Megatron left him in charge of the ''Nemesis''. Starscream used information gathered by Soundwave to kidnap the Autobots' three human friends and took them to Cybertron for Megatron to use as hostages. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}}

After handing over [[Jack Darby]] in exchange for two of the keys, Starscream took part in the activation of the [[Omega Lock]]. He survived the explosion caused by the Lock's destruction at Optimus's hand, and when Knock Out attempted a quip, knocked the medic down and demanded he tend to Megatron. Starscream returned to Earth with Megatron to take part in an attack on the Autobot base, during which he shot down Wheeljack's ship, the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'', with Wheeljack still inside. Following the attack, he and Megatron landed in the remains of the base. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

While the other Decepticons dug around in the ruins, Starscream more productively had Wheeljack pulled from the wreckage of the ''Jackhammer''. When human military forces turned up, Starscream offered to unleash the armada on them, but Megatron dealt with the matter using [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]]'s fusion cannons. His interrogation of Wheeljack did not go nearly as well. {{storylink|Darkmount, NV}}

With the arrival of Shockwave, Megatron appointed the newcomer second lieutenant in charge of science, usurping Starscream's role slightly. Starscream attempted to get his own back by discovering a photo of Ratchet on the internet, only to be embarrassed when it was switched for a picture of a dancing monkey by Raf. He attempted a new gambit—allowing Wheeljack to escape with a tracking device, believing it would lead them to the other Autobots, however Wheeljack discovered the bug and turned the tables on the pursuing Decepticons. Megatron's anger was only stemmed by Shockwave bringing [[Predaking (Prime)|a Predacon he cloned]] to Earth. {{storylink|Scattered}}

Starscream complained to Knock Out about the pressures of his position. When the Predacon returned from its flight to catch Autobots empty-handed, Starscream noted it was a pity the beast couldn't tell them why it failed. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}} Starscream was pleased when Decepticon monitoring finally bore fruit and located the Autobots. Unfortunate this turned out to be a series of diversions designed to have the Decepticons spread their forces out, and Megatron was not happy that Starscream fell for it. Darkmount subsequently came under attack and though Starscream did his best to coordinate a defense, the battle ended with him ordering a retreat to the ''Nemesis'' as the base was destroyed. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}} When it looked like the Decepticons were about to embark on another scavenger hunt, Starscream was dismayed, but fortunately it turned out that Shockwave had micro-chipped all his creations, and the fossils they needed would be easy to find. {{storylink|Project Predacon}}

[[File:ChainOfCommandInForItNow.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The hills are alive with the sound of Starscream's butthurt.]]
Following the surprise return of the existing Predacon, Starscream was dismayed to find it put in his charge. He had immense trouble controlling the beast and resorted to using the Apex Armor to protect himself from its attacks. Megatron sent Starscream and the Predacon to [[Scotland]], where they found the Autobots had destroyed a team of Decepticons hunting for bones there. While the Predacon took on the Autobots, Starscream found Miko trying to reach Magnus's ship and accidentally lost the Apex Armor to her. Battle ensued, but when the Predacon left for the ''Nemesis'', Starscream and his two seekers found themselves outnumbered by Autobots and retreated. {{storylink|Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command}} In Megatron's bad books again, Starscream was further inconvenienced when the Predacon damaged the ship's communication dish. Though he tried to have it repaired by the Vehicons, it didn't go so well, and Megatron eventually found out. {{storylink|Plus One (Prime)|Plus One}}

Starscream found Knock Out in the middle of experimenting with [[Synthetic Energon]], and had the medic add Dark Energon to the mix, believing it would allow Megatron to control the results. Instead the new mix transformed Cylas into an energon-sucking zombie and created a plague which resulted in Knock Out and Starscream being chased through the ship. Confronted by Megatron, they were forced to admit what they were done, and were sent to locate and destroy Cylas. They eventually found he had already been dispatched, but to Starscream's dismay, the deed had been done by the recently freed Airachnid. Fortunately he didn't have to deal with her as well, but he later had to face Megatron's wrath over his part in the affair. {{storylink|Thirst}}

When Megatron took him to another abandoned mine, Starscream assumed his demise was near, but they were merely visiting Shockwave's off-site laboratory. The Predacon unexpectedly arrived and Starscream hit it with a metal bar, only for it to transform and vocally threaten to return with physical violence. The Decepticons quickly realized that despite Predaking's loyalty, it would not take him and his fellow Predacons long to realize their superiority to the Decepticons, so Starscream hatched a plan to kill two birds with one stone, luring the Autobots to the laboratory so its destruction could be blamed on them. The plan succeeded, and in the aftermath, the Decepticons discovered that the synthetic energon stored at the base had created cybermatter. {{storylink|Evolution}} Starscream managed to talk his way out of being disfigured by Shockwave over not warning the latter that the Autobots were attacking the lab. As Shockwave was put in charge of perfecting the Synthetic Energon formula, Megatron assigned Starscream to gather technology to repair the Omega Lock, which they would need for a delivery mechanism. {{storylink|Minus One}}

After establishing the location of the Autobot base when they kidnapped Ratchet, Starscream was sent with his armada to destroy the hanger. He did so with aplomb, unaware that the Autobots had swapped the letters on the hangers and he'd destroyed the wrong one. {{storylink|Persuasion}} The error came back to bite him when the Decepticons detected an [[Chip|Autobot probe]] carrying Laserbeak's transponder. Starscream went out and personally destroyed the probe before fleeing through a GroundBridge to escape Optimus. Back on the ''Nemesis'', when Predaking found out about the Decepticons' earlier treachery and went on a rampage, Starscream aided Megatron by blasting Predaking in the back. Though the Predacon was defeated, the ship next came under attack by Autobots. {{storylink|Synthesis}}

Starscream took his squad of Vehicons and encountered Arcee and Bumblebee. They battled the two Autobots, but were driven back to the Omega Lock room where Starscream tried unsuccessfully to get his hands on the Star Saber which Smokescreen had brought along. Starscream watched in horror as Megatron was killed by Bumblebee, but his desire to avenge his leader was unable to be fulfilled, as Shockwave dragged him away. The pair escaped the ship in a lifepod, somewhere over Cybertron. {{storylink|Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock}}

[[File:Predaconsrising-Starscreamupthecreek.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|No! Bad pets! Bad! Don't you want to know what the fox says?!?]]
As Shockwave continued to try to clone Predacons, Starscream searched for more bones, and was soon assisted by [[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]] and [[Skylynx (Prime)|Skylynx]]. The two Predacons eventually led him to a whole burial ground of Predacon remains, but as they were gathering their find up, they were witness to the apparent return of Megatron. Unfortunately it instead turned out to be Unicron using Megatron's body, and as the dark god created an army of undead Predacons, Starscream fled.

Finding the warship, he freed Knock Out and some Vehicons and attempted to retake the ship, only for Knock Out to betray him. He was locked in a cell, however when the warship crashed during the battle against Unicron, he was freed. Once Megatron was free of Unicron's will, Starscream approached him, believing he would resume leadership of the Decepticons, but Megatron was no longer interested in the Decepticon cause. Starscream therefore went to [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] to take his own rightful place as Decepticon ruler, only for Predaking, Darksteel, and Skylynx to arrive looking to settle scores with him. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

====Titan ''Prime'' comic====
[[File:Titan4.6 Starscream holding president.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The president's been kidnapped by Decepticons! Are you a bad enough dude to save the president?]]
Starscream accompanied [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] on a trip to [[Antarctica]] to attack the [[Yamal|NS ''Yamal'']]. He carried the [[static lance]] that Megatron intended to use to detonate the ship's nuclear reactors, and when the Autobots arrived to intercede, Starscream used the weapon to knock [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] out. He tried to do the same to [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], but the Autobot dodged the blow and kicked him in the head, taking the lance himself and ruining the Decepticons' plan. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

Tasked by Megatron with trying to draw the Autobots out, Starscream attacked and captured [[Air Force One]], taking it to the [[Grand Canyon]]. He sent a message demanding Optimus Prime's surrender in exchange for the safe return of the [[President of the United States|President]], but the Autobots turned up in force. Starscream's accompaniment of Vehicons was soon quashed, and Optimus rescued the President, whom Starscream was using as a human shield, by chopping the Decepticon's left arm off. Defeated, Starscream fled. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.6|All the President's 'Bots!}}

Starscream was appalled when Megatron revealed the latest plan—pitting the Vehicons against each other in a series of deathmatches to ensure their army contained only the toughest. He was even more shocked when Megatron expected ''him'' to fight against [[Fearstorm]]. Starscream was able to defeat the much-larger Decepticon through application of his wits; he first managed to snap off the pointed end of on the bars enclosing their match, then used it to pin Fearstorm's arms to the ground. Fearstorm was thus incapacitated, leaving Starscream easy access to the key that granted him victory; his opponent's spark. Afterwards, Megatron was content to let Starscream return to the ship. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.7|Megatron's Law}}

On Soundwave's prompting, Starscream set up an ambush for the Autobots in [[The Wave]]. When it predictably went badly for the Decepticons, Starscream demanded his companion take matters into his own hands. Soundwave did, and as a result Starscream had to later help Soundwave look for his missing hand. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.12|The Evil Shred}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.17|Collider Scope}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.18|Power Outage}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.20|Starscream's Beast}}}}

====Eaglemoss ''Prime'' comic====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Horrible TV}}}}

====''Regeneration One''====
[[File:Gas skunk blackarachnia jetstorm leobreaker starscream war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
As the [[Dark Matrix|Dark Matrix creature]] tortured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] with visions of his [[Sparkplug Witwicky|dead father]] in [[Zero Space]], cracks began to appear in the membrane of infinite worlds. Starscream could be seen through one, alongside [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]], [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], and [[Gas Skunk]]. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

====''Rescue Bots'' cartoon====
When Heatwave was captured by Chumley, Kade came looking for him. Kade called out asking if Heatwave was there, causing Heatwave to ask sarcastically if he was expecting Starscream. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy (RB)|Enemy of My Enemy}}

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Steve Blum]] (English), [[Daisuke Hirakawa]] (Japanese)|[[Jiang Ke]] (Chinese), [[Gerardo Alonso]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Nicolas Dubois]] (French), [[Axel Lutter]] (German), [[János Bácskai]] (Hungarian), [[Nestor Chiesse]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}
[[File:MightyBigTrouble Starscream.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Hello, I'm SpaceNapoleHitler. Give me the thing!]]
Starscream managed to survive his encounter with the Predacons by <s>strategically luring them</s> sheer dumb luck, stumbling upon a weapons cache with enough power to repel [[Skylynx (Prime)|Skylynx]] and [[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]]. He then explored the fortress and found the laboratory where the Decepticons had bred the Weaponizer Mini-Cons and sought to use them to take revenge on Megatron for his cruel acts towards him. {{storylink|Mini-Con Madness (RID)|Mini-Con Madness}} Starscream then reformatted himself {{storylink|Mighty Big Trouble}} to his old body type, before he freed the Mini-Cons but they managed to escape him. {{storylink|Mini-Con Madness (RID)|Mini-Con Madness}} The Autobots believed him to be dead following his encounter with the Predacons, but he was remembered as a dangerous Decepticon in the records of the War. {{storylink|Mighty Big Trouble}}

After he had "helped save the universe, from Starscream, Megatron, and Dark Energon", [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] refused to be defeated by [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye (RID)|More than Meets the Eye}} When Bumblebee attempted to inspire his team with an [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] impression, [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] instead believed Bumblebee to be going for a bad Starscream. {{storylink|W.W.O.D.?}}

In his hunt for the Weaponizer Mini-Cons, Starscream hired [[Shadelock]], [[RoughEdge]], and [[Razorhorn]] to procure them. {{storylink|Mighty Big Trouble}} His hunt forced the Mini-Cons off [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and led them to joining a group of [[Scavenger (RID 2015)|scavengers]]. {{storylink|History Lessons}} He tracked them down to the planet Earth, where Shadelock found [[Tricerashot]]. Starscream ordered him to follow the Mini-Con to lead them to the remainder of them. {{storylink|Pretzel Logic}} He tracked the Mini-Cons to a human ship, missing them by seconds. There he found the scavengers and the [[Dark Star Saber]]. He immediately claimed the weapon as his own intending to use it for conquest before he noted that it seemed to be operating at less than full power. Nonetheless, he still desired the Mini-Cons and ordered his minions to track them and bring them to him. His minions brought him the wrong Mini-Cons. [[Fixit (RID)|One of them]] accidentally revealed [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] was back on Earth and Starscream was able to take the yellow Autobot prisoner by threatening the Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Mighty Big Trouble}}

[[File:RiD 2015 Worthy One-Winged Seeker.jpg|thumb|left|280px|At least he's not a giant screaming head this time.]]
When Bumblebee was aboard, Starscream gloated about his good fortune before the Autobot escaped only to be quickly recaptured. With his captive now in [[stasis cuffs]], Starscream monologued about his cunning escape from the Predacons and his plan to use the Weaponizer Mini-Cons and the Dark Star Saber to not only kill Megatron but conquer the galaxy. He then resumed scanning for his "little doomsday devices" before Bumblebee began taunting him that no one, not even the Dark Star Saber, took him seriously. Starscream swore that everyone would take him seriously, aiming the cursed blade at Bumblebee's throat. A nearby battle between Autobots and scavengers caught his attention where he used his ship's tractor beam to abduct the Weaponizer Mini-Cons before flying off and gloating to Bumblebee of his imminent victory. {{storylink|Mini-Con Madness (RID)|Mini-Con Madness}} Unfortunately it turned out he only had six of the seven Mini-Cons needed, with an attempt at merging resulting in failure. Luckily the last Mini-Con needed turned up at his ship with the Autobots, and he was able to obtain it by knocking everyone out with the Dark Star Saber. He successfully merged with the Mini-Cons, only to lose [[Aerobolt]] thanks to a signal initiated from the ship by Fixit. Starscream managed to fly clear of the ship and engage Optimus and Aerobolt, now merged, in combat until the Autobots succeeded in dragging him back into range of the signal. Separated from the Mini-Cons, Starscream fell comatose and was loaded onto [[Prime Force One|Optimus's ship]] for transport back to Cybertron for justice. {{storylink|Worthy}}
{{--}}

====IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
Years ago, Starscream assigned three Vehicons to construct an [[energon]] mine near the [[Sierra Ridge]] mountains, {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 5|Robots in Disguise #5}} and left them with a bomb triggered by a dead man's switch as an "explosive insurance policy".

At some point after [[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Cybertron's restoration]], Starscream's severed arm was brought to Earth with [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]]. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]] fought Predaking for the arm, so they could convince the three Sierra Ridge Vehicons that [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] was not their superior officer. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 6|Robots in Disguise #6}}

===Toy bios===
Once upon a time, Starscream was an honorable soldier who fought to defend Cybertron. His long isloation aboard an orbital platform changed all that, making him greedy and ambitious, and he jumped at the chance to join Decepticons and get to lead troops again. {{storylink|Starscream (WFC)#Generations|Generations Starscream}} This path would lead to him binging on Dark Energon, revelling in the power it gave him! {{storylink|Starscream (WFC)#Prime|Dark Energon Starscream}}

Starscream, whatever you might think, ''isn't'' running away all the time: he's actually making calculated retreats and when the enemy is going "ha ha Starscream's run away", he comes back without warning and wipes them out. {{storylink|Starscream (WFC)#Prime|Voyager Starscream}}

===''Tales of the Beast Hunters''===
When [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] returned from a battle with the news that [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] had apparently perished in a mysterious explosion, everyone on the ''Nemesis'' assumed Starscream was to blame, simply because he had repeatedly expressed an interest in becoming Decepticon leader. He had to go on the run, all the while Megatron would turn up alive so his name would be cleared. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 7}} Dreadwing managed to track him down, but he convinced Dreadwing that he was not the one who eliminated Megatron, on the grounds that he would immediately take [[Decepticon leader]]ship, rather than flee, should Megatron die by his hands. Dreadwing believed him, and ordered his assistance in finding Megatron. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 14}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
After the Transformers had made their way to Earth, Starscream encountered Bumblebee. Not fooled by the Autobot's vehicle disguise, Starscream pursued the Autobot scout. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Sam Riegel]] (English)|[[Gianluca Iacono]] (Italian), [[Leopoldo Ballesteros]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Cyrille Monge]] (French), [[Olaf Różański]] (Polish)}}
[[File:WFC Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Where are your stupid Macross jokes now?!]]

{{quote|Have no fear, Lord Megatron. Under my leadership, Decepticon victory is assured!|Starscream being all modest|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

For the last thousand years of the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], Starscream was in charge of an orbital facility that had the capability of producing [[Dark Energon]], though they maintained only a small stockpile because of its unpredictable and uncontrollable nature. The station's force of neutral soldiers were no match for Megatron's invading forces, while Starscream and [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]]'s repeated warnings that no one could control Dark Energon had no effect on Megatron's determination. Instead, Megatron tempted Starscream with knowledge of his past, reminding him of his demotion from Sky Commander to a mere guard over an all-but-derelict station, and offered to let him join the Decepticons, something Starscream scoffed at—at least, at first. Starscream attempted to destroy the station's stock of Dark Energon before the Decepticon leader could reach it, but failed, and watched, first with amusement as Megatron entered the storage chamber...and then with shock as Megatron infused himself with the substance and bent it to his will within moments. Starscream quickly volunteered his services for the Decepticon cause, causing Jetfire to label him a traitor and leave to warn [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]]. Megatron sent him with [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]] to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to reactivate the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge|Energon Bridge]]. Starscream performed the mission successfully using his trademark style, flair, and modesty, never mind Megatron's taunting and unreasonable impatience, or Thundercracker's warning him of the danger of certain courses of action, or even Skywarp's cluing in to his constant insults.

During the Battle of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon City]], Starscream led the Decepticons aerial squadrons and [[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]] led the Decepticons' ground assault, while Megatron, [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]], and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] went behind enemy lines and tried to secure the [[Omega Key]]. When Megatron's group met up with Brawl, Starscream refused to send Dark Energon bombers, saying that he wouldn't let Brawl waste anymore of "his ships". Megatron took issue with Starscream dubbing the bombers his, and overrode Starscream's refusal. Later that evening, while looking for the "real" Omega Key, they ran into it: [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]. Starscream assumed Megatron was killed when Omega attacked a [[dropship (WFC)|dropship]] Megatron was heading for and declared himself Decepticon commander. Shortly afterward, Megatron managed to communicate with Starscream and ordered him to attack Omega Supreme, getting the massive Autobot off Megatron's back. By the time Megatron's group were heading for the Autobot turrets, Starscream was ready to sound a retreat, which Megatron overrode with the threat of marking any retreating Decepticon as "kill on sight". Fortunately, Megatron arrived moments later and managed to defeat Omega Supreme, making the retreat unnecessary. Later on, he was present at the [[Core]] of Cybertron as Megatron corrupted it with Dark Energon.

As the Battle of Iacon continued, Starscream fought through Jetfire and [[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]], and attacked [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]]'s group in the [[Decagon]]. However, the Air Commander was injured by Optimus's [[Energon-axe]] and forced to retreat. The wound was apparently bad enough to cause him to sit out the remainder of the conflict. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
{{voiceactor|Sam Riegel (English)|Gianluca Iacono (Italian)}}
Starscream had been in control of Trypticon Space Station for years, until Megatron and his forces invaded. Megatron wished to revive the Dark Energon project to aid him in his conquest of Cybertron, but Starscream would have none of it. Megatron was able to fight his way to Starscream himself, and after a brief battle, Starscream had lost. He begged for mercy, and Megatrons spared Starscream in exchange for loyalty to the Decepticons. Starscream obliged and Megatron was taken to the core of the station.

After a test run of the Dark Energon's effects on Decepticons in Kaon Prison, Soundwave deduced the element would only destroy the host. A furious Megatron set Starscream to work on fixing the problem, with Starscream continuously bickering with Barricade over his usefulness. The problem was eventually solved in time for an attack on Iacon City. When Megatron felled Zeta Prime and found the Omega Key, the titanic Autobot Omega Supreme was unleashed upon the Decepticons, quickly crushing them with ease.

Megatron was downright furious with Starscream, declaring he had brought Omega Supreme's rampage upon them all. Starscream retorted that if it wasn't for Megatron and his blind troops, none of this would've happened. Starscream invited Megatron to kill him, but warned him it wouldn't do a thing about Omega Supreme out for their blood. Megatron for the moment let it go, and finally felled Omega Supreme, gaining total dominance over Cybertron.

Sometime later, Starscream ambushed an [[Autobot rookie|Autobot recruit-in-training]], and would've killed him if it wasn't for Optimus charging to the rescue. He wasn't seen again after that.
{{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|War for Cybertron - Autobots/Decepticons}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
{{voiceactor|[[Sam Riegel]] (English)|[[Gianluca Iacono]] (Italian)}}

Being Megatron's "right-hand man," he wonders how the war could have changed if HE were to be the leader, not Megatron. Still he was ordered by Megatron to do his dirty work, and growing jealous, he waits for the right time, to take his place, as leader of the Decepticons.
{{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{voiceactor|[[Sam Riegel]] (English)}}
{{quote|Megatron will rue the day he made a fool of me. He can keep his precious army. I will build one of my own.|Starscream planning an obviously failed attempt at army building|''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]''}}

Under Megatron's orders, Starscream and the [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticons]] ambushed and captured Optimus Prime under the ruins of Iacon during the assault on the Ark. Starscream's gloating on how he defeated Megatron's nemesis would earn him a blast from the Decepticon's leader's fusion cannon. Starscream's luck would take an uphill turn, however, for Megatron was soon crushed by Metroplex, leaving him the new leader of the Decepticons. At the urging of both Prime and Metroplex, Starscream ordered the Decepticons to retreat.

Starscream's reign as a leader was lackluster at best. He used most of the Decepticon energon and supplies to further his own ego and cover the Decepticon bases with portraits and effigies of himself and constantly broadcasting self glorifying speeches to his troops. Anyone who wasn't on board with Starscream's reign was thrown into the prisons of Kaon. Needless to say, the prisons were full to bursting as barely a handful of Decepticons had any faith in their new leader. When the Autobots acquired the entire energon supply the Decepticons kept in the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]]. Starscream sent the Combaticons to stop the transport. When the transport was out in the open, Starscream ordered an assault on it, despite the fact the anti-aircraft guns were still functional. As the Decepticons suffered heavy losses, Starscream aborted the mission and ordered a full retreat. The Combaticons ignored the order and brought the transport down, at the cost of half the energon on board. Despite the fact that the Combaticons had saved the mission he had abandoned, Starscream accused them of failing and had them arrested.

Later, Starscream decided to have a coronation for himself (despite the fact he had been in charge for some time now). Though sadly it was not to be, as [[The Transformers: The Movie|a newly rebuilt Megatron crashed the event]] and took his crown back from the would-be king, much to everyone else's elation. Luckily, the Air Commander escaped Megatron's wrath, swearing revenge.

Seeking the means to get back at Megatron, Starscream made his way to Shockwave's lab. He came across [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and promised to free him and his team if they would serve him. The Dinobot kindly refused the offer by throwing him into the control panel, freeing himself. This apparently knocked Starscream out as he didn't get back up. What happened to him afterwords is unknown, since most of Decepticons that might have arrested him were cut to pieces by Grimlock. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

{{note|Starscream also appears as a playable character in the Escalation Map, 'Oblivion'. He is the team's [[Ammo Supplier]] and fights alongside [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]], and [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]].}}

===''Transformers: Prime - The Game''===
[[File:TransformersPrimeTheGame Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
{{voiceactor|[[Steve Blum]] (English)|[[Leopoldo Ballesteros]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Cyrille Monge]] (French)}}
Starscream was present when the Decepticons were hauling in an asteroid rich with Dark Energon heading toward Earth. When the Autobots came to stop them, he witnessed the asteroid explode and the Autobots fall out of orbit. He then mocked their inability to fly, which annoyed Megatron. He commissioned Knock Out and Airachnid to seek and retrieve the Autobots, joining in the hunt himself.

Starscream found Bulkhead and Miko in some sort of tomb, and played on his life by nearly collapsing the whole cave on him. Bulkhead escaped the falling cave, and the big guy unleashed tenfold on him. However, one of the Vehicons managed to swipe Miko and take her captive, and Starscream retreated with them.

Starscream later assisted Megatron in finding a missing component of Thunderwing's, and managed to run into his old pal Bulkhead again. Unfortunately, Bulkhead bested him again, this time taking him captive in his own ship! The treacherous Decepticon tricked Bulkhead, however, into bringing him into a room where he was ambushed by Vehicon troopers. Yet again, Bulkhead came out on top of the pile with Starscream retreating in defeat.

Starscream quickly installed the biggest component in Thunderwing, which resulted in him attacking Megatron... ''Megatron used Starscream as a shield.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Prime - The Game}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Online''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers Online}}}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
====Console====
{{Charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}}}

====3DS====
{{Charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (3DS)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}}}

===''Transformers Prime: Battle For Energon''===
When Bulkhead infiltrate the Nemesis to snatch away the Decepticons' Energon stores, Starscream faced off against the Autobot before he could take his leave. Starscream was defeated, and Bulkhead took off with the Energon in hand. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Battle For Energon}}

===''Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense''===
Starscream led a battalion of Vehicon drones to the town of [[Jasper]] in order to secure Dark Energon from a nearby mine. His efforts were thwarted by Arcee. Starscream then attempted to escape from an abandoned military installation with the Vehicons under his command, only to be stopped by both Arcee and Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense}}

===''Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense''===
Starscream and the other Decepticons attempted to prevent the Autobots from constructing a [[Pulsar Dish]], which would destroy the [[Energon Drain]] that the Decepticons had built in an asteroid field. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Prime: Decepticon Strike''===
Using his jet mode to fire upon the Autobot leader, and leaving floating "aerial mines" behind him, Starscream fought it out against Optimus Prime in the skies over a lush tropical forest. Optimus managed to drive off Starscream nevertheless, and Starscream howled back that he wouldn't forget his defeat as he sped away. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Decepticon Strike|Decepticon Strike}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Starscream-(WFC).jpg|thumb|400px|So I'm ''Cybertron'' Starscream as WFC Starscream, introduced in a WFC event with seekers from ''Cybertron''. Confused? ''Good!'' '''*Hotshot 47 BLAM!*''']]
Starscream participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Epic character who was available as a reward in the "Cybertron Episode 2 - Seekers" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

===''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game===
{{note|For some reason, the Legion Class version of the character is not included in the character selection.}}
<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:65%"
|-
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Version'''
! style="background: #00CCFF; color: black" scope="col" width="35%" | '''Unlock Cost (Energon)'''
! style="background: #BF00FF; color: white" scope="col" width="35%" | '''Unlock Cost (Ultra Sparks)'''
|-
| Starter
|4500
|90
|-
|Power Hero
|8000
|140
|-
|}
</center>
{{-}}

===''Power Up for Battle''===
[[File:RID2015 Power Up for Battle gameplay.jpg|thumb|upright=1.44]]
Starscream engaged in battle against Optimus Prime for control over the Weaponizer Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Power Up for Battle}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
===''War for Cybertron''===
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] arrived to a location where [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], Starscream, and Soundwave were battling Autobots. Megatron left, leaving Shockwave in charge. Shockwave ordered Soundwave to [[Transformation|Transform]] and play "[[The Touch]]." Starscream was displeased with Shockwave's choice of song, but Shockwave told him that once he got a higher hit percentage than his own, then Starscream could choose a soundtrack. {{storylink|Commercial#War for Cybertron|GameSpot's commercial for their Shockwave multiplayer exclusive}}
{{--}}
===''Fall of Cybertron''===
[[File:FOC Starscream face broken trailer.jpg|thumb|200px]]
*As Starscream transformed from jet mode and equipped his sword to slice at Optimus Prime carrying the injured Bumblebee, Ironhide intercepted the Decepticon and punched him in the face. The force of the punch broke a good chunk of Starscream's face and threw him to the ground. {{storylink|Commercial#Fall of Cybertron|''Fall of Cybertron'' VGA Cinematic Trailer}}
*Starscream, alongside Shockwave, intercepted Optimus, who was running towards Megatron. The Autobot leader blocked Starscream's slashing attacks with his arm and subsequently shot him in the face from point blank range. This event happened on the surface of the city mode of Metroplex. As Optimus ordered Metroplex to awaken, the city-bot started transforming while Starscream's defeated body was still lying on his surface.
{{storylink|Commercial#Fall of Cybertron|''Fall of Cybertron'' E3 Trailer}}
{{Note|The story of the FOC E3 Trailer seemingly follows on from the FOC VGA Cinematic Trailer.}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
{{main|Starscream (WFC)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Starscream (WFC)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:Tfprimestarscreamjet.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|''ooooo-ooooo/We fade to grey!'']]
[[File:VectorSigmaBotBuilderStarscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Fabulouscream.]]
[[File:Screamer_dashboard.jpg|thumb|right|Nintendoscream.]]
*Starscream's model is usable in ''War for Cybertron'' multiplayer as the Energon Seeker-type chassis for [[Scientist (WFC)|Scientist]]-class characters. His parts are also available to Scientists in ''Fall of Cybertron'', now classified as Arclight-type components.
*Starscream's backstory in ''Exodus'' is self-contradictory:
:''"Not even Starscream, who had spent much of his scientific career in the labs contained within these refracting walls..."'' (p. 78).
:''"See what?" Starscream asked. Neither Starscream nor Megatron were scientists."'' (p. 158).
:*When asked via Twitter, Exodus's writer [[Alex Irvine]] stated "Let's say he's always been scientifically curious."<ref>[http://twitter.com/alexirvine/status/36051088754868224 Twitter post]</ref>
:*In ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark]]'', when Starscream sarcastically remarks how Shockwave is "ever the scientist", Shockwave replies with "as you once were". This implies that Starscream had been a scientist at some point in time, but has since left that field.
*Starscream's thin body and narrow, upward-swept wings in [[robot mode]] recalls [[Starscream (Animated)|''Animated'' Starscream]], but his colour scheme, Igor-like posture and subservience to Megatron recalls the [[Starscream (Movie)|live-action incarnation]]. The game design has the movie bulk but with a [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1]] head and colours.
**And an unintentional one at that, according to the [[New York Comic Con]] Transformers: Prime panel.
*[[Steve Blum]] said he was a fan of [[Charlie Adler]] and [[Tom Kenny]]'s portrayals of Starscream, and had Adler give him his blessing after he got the part.<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/20/steve-blum-talks-transformers-prime-guild-wars-2-bulletstorm-more/ Skewed magazine Steve Blum interview.]</ref> Coincidentally, Blum, Adler, and Kenny are all in ''The Super Hero Squad Show''. Blum would later take over the role of Adler's [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] for the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|Dark of the Moon]]'' game.
*Starscream's body parts are available to use in the Hub website's [[Vector Sigma Bot Builder]] online game. Normally, you cannot configure a generic 'bot using all Starscream parts, but you can see what one would look like at right through the magic of Photoshop.
*In Starscream's dedicated level in ''Fall Of Cybertron'', a secret room on the exterior of Shockwave's tower complex contains a very G1-esque gold crown that can be picked up by the player and worn for the remainder of the level. Words cannot describe how awesome this is...
*Starscream's Hasbro bio takes Fowler's comment "Starscream is his own worst enemy", a little too literally as it lists his arch-enemy as himself. And his ally is Optimus, for some reason...
*In one of the rare noticeable instances of physical change within the "Aligned" continuity family, Starscream's appearance in ''Robots in Disguise'' is changed to be more similar to his ''Fall of Cybertron appearance'', but this time is inspired by both his [[Starscream (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] and his [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|G1 cartoon counterpart]]'s look during the coronation scene in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

===Arms Up Modes===
In the Japanese ''Prime'' toyline, Starscream has named powered-up modes when given various [[Arms Micron]]s in certain configurations:

*'''Full Weapon Mode''' (フルウェポンモード ''Furu Wepon Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': Balo, Gora, Gul, Jida, Zori
:Starscream's box-back Arms Up mode has him using the [[Laser Gunblade]] on his right arm, the [[High-Defense Shield]] on the left, and [[Zori]] in "Flexible Rod Mode" (yyyyeah) on his back.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Starscream''' (スタースクリーム ''Sutāsukurīmu'')
*''Korean:'' '''Starscream''' (스타스크림 ''Seutaseukeurim'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tiānwángxīng''' (Taiwan, 天王星, "Uranus"), '''Hóng Zhīzhū''' (China, 红蜘蛛, "Red Spider")
*''Russian:'' '''Starscream''' (''War for Cybertron'', ''Prime'', Старскрим), '''Skandalist''' (''Fall of Cybertron'', Скандалист, "Troublemaker")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Aligned Seekers]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Transformers Online Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) Decepticons]]

Starscream (WFC)

2023-06-11T15:47:14Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Regeneration One */

{{faction|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Starscream}}
{{suite}}
:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[File:StarscreamPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|In a cruel twist of fate, perhaps the most legitimately competent Starscream ever, but no one will take him seriously for even a minute.]]
'''Starscream''' was an Air Commander of the [[Energon]] [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s finest air warriors. His dream was to recover the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and become the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] that would return the Transformers to the [[Golden Age]], and he saw opportunity with the rebel upstart [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. A patient and polite schemer, Starscream used to wish Megatron would drop the heroic anti-[[caste system|caste]] charade and be more honest about his lust for power.

These days, he alternatively wishes Megatron would stop being obsessed with ''his'' lust for power and chafes under having to work for such a madman. While he serves as Megatron's right-hand man, he constantly looks for a way to become the commander himself and Megatron knows it: Starscream's extremely volatile personality means he is not adept at hiding his true intent. Fortunately for Megatron, Starscream is prone to panic, cowardice and bombastic gestures, meaning that it'd take exceptional circumstances for Starscream to actually manage to get behind him to shove the knife in.

He may be a scientist, but [[#Notes|we're not quite sure]].

{{quote|That shot was perfect, much like the one who fired it!|Starscream after achieving a headshot|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Aligned novels===
Starscream may or may not have had a history as a scientist. Regardless of what he did prior, in the early days before the war began he was one of the leaders of the Cybertronian Air Command. When [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] fell into chaos following bombings by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s [[Decepticon]] followers, Starscream was posted as [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]]'s bodyguard. He was with the Prime at [[Altihex]] Casino during a performance by comedian [[Armorhide (WFC)|Armorhide]] when the Decepticons attacked. Sentinel's attempt to flee rather than fight back made Starscream ashamed of his leader, so he had [[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] take him to [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] Prison rather than the safety of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. This earned him loyalty with Megatron, but wary of how sour a revolution could quickly turn Starscream opted not to be directly involved in the gladiator's operations, posting his Seekers at [[Moonbase One|Moon Base One]] and [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] Station. Megatron was intrigued by why Starscream wanted to occupy "that semi-sentient pile of junk" but despite [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]]'s research they found no clues, with information regarding the Station seemingly censored.

Whenever Starscream's Seekers were present, the Decepticons were victorious in battle against the [[Autobot]]s. Starscream however, found Megatron's strategies overly convoluted. As the war devolved into a siege of Iacon, Megatron and [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]], by probing into forgotten areas of the [[DataNet]], discovered Trypticon was a storage of [[Dark Energon]], the life essence of [[Unicron]]. When questioned, Starscream explained since even the Air Command was not sure what Dark Energon was, he had forbidden its use, fearing the damage Megatron's gladiators would unleash. Megatron forgave Starscream, noting how he "was smart enough to be afraid of it", and was granted access.

Starscream sent a message to the Autobots proposing a meeting. Optimus only granted him a communication channel. Starscream stated if the Autobots did not know what Dark Energon was (they did) they would need to find out—and asked what would he could expect from them if something happened to Megatron. Optimus replied that he sought a just peace. Starscream said he understood, broke off the conversation and flew to [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] Prison where Sentinel was held. Starscream offered Sentinel a chance to redeem his cowardly behavior at Altihex. The ultimate aim of this road to becoming Decepticon leader was to become [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] in a peace settlement with Optimus, and lead Cybertron back to its [[Golden Age]]. Starscream then flew to Moon Base One when Megatron ordered him to Trypticon, where he found the Decepticons had invaded the Station and slaughtered and maimed his scientists.

Megatron and [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] forced Starscream to select two survivors to absorb [[Dark Energon]], for what was a successful experiment. Requiring more for the Decepticon war effort, Megatron ordered Starscream to capture the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]], below the ruins of [[Crystal City]]. Empowered by his first taste of Dark Energon, Starscream activated the device that transmitted Energon to the Station for it to be Darkened. But the Bridge still did not produce enough, and Starscream was ordered to find the [[Code Key]] of Power and Key of Justice to the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] underneath the [[High Council Tower]] in Iacon. Starscream decided it was time to release Sentinel, renouncing Dark Energon after realizing Megatron had turned his soldiers into addicts. Starscream found the Key of Power within the [[High Council Tower|Hall of Justice]] and flew underground to find his plan had failed, as Megatron had mortally wounded Sentinel. He could see within Sentinel's body was the Key of Justice, but was prevented from taking it by [[Blackout (WFC)|Blackout]]. Megatron fought Starscream to a standstill, sparing him because he realized he was a better soldier than a would-be example.

As Megatron entered the Chamber, [[Teletraan-1 (WFC)|Teletraan-1]] activated the legendary [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] to fly it away. Aware Starscream had a better chance of escaping Omega's awakening, Megatron ordered Starscream and his Seekers to down Omega, in exchange for more Dark Energon. Giving up on his attempt to give up his addiction, Starscream gleefully accepted and they successfully blew Omega out of the sky, allowing the Decepticons to retrieve the Chamber and corrupt the [[core]]. As Cybertron became uninhabitable, the Autobots left on the largest starship ever built - the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]''. Starscream left the planet with Megatron as they gave pursuit on Trypticon, now a ''Nemesis''-class supercruiser. The two ships entered a [[space bridge]], which separated the two ships to unknown parts of space... {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

{{note|Starscream's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic "[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]."}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Uniend 610.23 Zeta]], {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}} Starscream lead the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s in the Battle at [[Tyger Pax]]. Focused on taking the pressure off the Decepticons' vulnerable rear, Starscream opened fire on [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] to protect [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], and then forced the Autobot into a retreat, despite [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]'s attempts to bring Starscream down.

After the [[AllSpark]] was launched into space, Starscream, stunned and damaged, tumbled out of control and crashed on the surface of Tyger Pax, though he recovered in time to retreat with Megatron. {{storylink|Bumblebee at Tyger Pax}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====IDW Aligned comics====
Visiting [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]'s citadel to check up on his research, Starscream was annoyed to find that the scientist was prioritizing his experiments on [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] over supplying the Decepticon war effort with more energon. He failed to see how the "bugs" would win them the war but gave up on trying to convince Shockwave otherwise, choosing to let Megatron deal with him instead. {{storylink|Secrets (FOC)|Secrets}} Starscream later participated in Megatron's assault on [[Metroplex (FOC)|Autobot City]]. {{storylink|Last Stand}} {{storylink|Fragmentation (FOC)|Fragmentation}}

While [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]]'s mind was suffering from Shockwave's experiments, he had a vision of himself being approached by Starscream and throwing him into a nearby console. {{storylink|Fall}} This vision eventually came to pass, and Grimlock was able to escape from Shockwave's lab by exploiting Starscream's greed and lust for power. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 4|Rage of the Dinobots #4}}

[[File:Primecomic-Starscream.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|I am okay with the events that are unfolding currently.]]
Starscream had been on [[Earth]] at some point, but was assigned by Megatron to scour the galaxy for remnants of space bridge technology. Returning to their dead homeworld, Starscream built a weapons lab in Kaon and began building a space bridge. He was informed by his [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s elsewhere they had apprehended the Autobot spy [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. Later, after basking in the glory of successfully activating the space bridge that would return them to Earth and its [[Energon]], Starscream realized Cliffjumper was present. The Autobot claimed to be freed by his captors after defecting to the Decepticons, and warned them of [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]]: this ruse successfully distracted Starscream long enough for Arcee to activate and overload the space bridge, but he jumped in after them moments before the lab was blown sky high.

Falling to Earth, a dazed Starscream picked up a [[bunny rabbit]], commenting that [[human]]s were smaller than he remembered. [[Scanning]] a fleet of jets flying overhead, he found Cliffjumper and Arcee driving on a road and launched a missile at them. He picked up Arcee's blown off arm and started battering Cliffjumper with it, but the Autobot blew up the rock formation above them and crushed Starscream with the rubble. Having received Starscream's signal, [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] came to his rescue, and the duo pursued and overwhelmed the Autobots. Just as Starscream was about to send them back to the [[AllSpark]], Optimus jumped and landed on him, while gunning Breakdown away. As Starscream greeted his opponent, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] tapped him on the shoulder and sent him flying. Optimus opted not to finish the job, allowing Starscream to escape and fight another day as he got Cliffjumper and Arcee to base. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|Transformers: Prime}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Steve Blum]] (English), [[Satoshi Tsuruoka]] (Japanese)|[[Jiang Ke]] (Chinese), [[Leopoldo Ballesteros]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Jin-uk Hong]] (Korean), [[Gianluca Iacono]] (Italian), [[Gerald Paradies]] (German), [[José Antonio Macías]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Nicolas Dubois]] (French), [[Nestor Chiesse]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Tero Koponen]] (Finnish), [[Gunnar Ernblad]] (Swedish)}}

[[File:DarknessRising1-Starscreamsneer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|One look sells him as Starscream.]]
Before Starscream joined Megatron and the Decepticons, he was commander of a squadron of Energon Seekers on Cybertron. {{Storylink|Partners (Prime)|Partners}} During the War, Starscream was present at [[Tyger Pax]] when [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] interrogated the Autobot [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}}

Following the [[Great Exodus]], Starscream intercepted a coded Autobot transmission and managed to trap [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. When his interrogation methods failed to extract anything he could use to decode the transmission, he took them to [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]], who used a [[cortical psychic patch]] on Arcee and revealed the transmission to be from Optimus Prime on [[Earth]]. Upon being questioned by Cliffjumper of his lack of bravery, Starscream tried to kill the Autobot only to be captured by Arcee. Upon being threatened by Arcee, he cracked and revealed Shockwave's plan; to build a space bridge under Kaon. Starscream was then knocked out but regained contentiousness and pursued the two Autobots to the space bridge. Unfortunately, the space bridge was destroyed with Shockwave, Cliffjumper, and Arcee still inside, but Starscream was able to escape. Starscream presumably took the Decepticons to Earth via the Nemesis soon after. {{storylink|Out of the Past}}

When the Decepticons arrived on Earth, Starscream scouted an old Decepticon ship called the ''[[Harbinger]]'' that had crashed landed years back. However, he failed to record the coordinates of the crash site or find the [[Immobilizer]]. {{Storylink|Partners (Prime)|Partners}} In time, Megatron departed Earth to gather an army out in space, leaving Starscream in charge. Starscream spent his time sending out [[Vehicon (Prime)|Decepticon grunts]] to search for [[Energon]] deposits{{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}, and managed to set up a lucrative energon mine in secret. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}

Three years later, one of Starscream's energon searches was interrupted by Cliffjumper. Once Cliffjumper was defeated by the Vehicons, Starscream personally killed the Autobot. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] alerted him to Arcee's location, and Starscream decided she would be their next target. Later, when Soundwave received a signal from deep space, Starscream hesitantly opened the space bridge for Megatron's return. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Megatron revealed to Starscream that he'd brought back [[Dark Energon]], and Starscream provided Cliffjumper's corpse so they could test the substance's reanimation properties. When the undead Cliffjumper's signal led the Autobots to the mine, Starscream blew the facility up on Megatron's orders. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

[[File:DarknessRising3-interrogateFowler.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"No, Mister Fowler, I expect you to be saved at the last minute!"]]
Following a test of Dark Energon on himself, Megatron took off for parts unknown, leaving Starscream in charge once more. When Soundwave picked up [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]]'s transmissions, Starscream had the human captured and began trying to extract the location of the Autobot base from him. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}} The interrogation almost succeeded, but for the arrival of Arcee, Bumblebee and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] who, after a standoff, forced Starscream to retreat. Once Megatron returned to the ship, he was outraged at Starscream's actions and proceeded to beat his subordinate for "delaying his plans". Starscream managed to quell his master's anger by announcing he had a way to get their plans back on course. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}}

[[File:DarknessRising5-ohgeez.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Oh my God. It's called toothpaste, use it.]]
As it turned out, his plan was to send Soundwave down to use the [[Giant Sized Array]] radio telescope on Earth to set the space bridge's target. Once the bridge was properly targeted, Starscream opened it so that Megatron could throw the chunk of Dark Energon though. Starscream moved the ship back to a safe distance when the fighting on the rim of the space bridge became more intense, while imploring his master to withdraw as well. Alas, the space bridge exploded, apparently taking Megatron with it, and Starscream gave a brief eulogy before declaring himself leader {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}} and danced in celebration while imploring the troops to chant his name. {{storylink|Patch (episode)|Patch}}
[[File:Patch Starscream dances.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|What'cha doin' on your back?! You should be dancing, YEAH!!!!]]

[[File:Masters&Students-SoundwaveStarscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|*ping*"FINE! FINE! I'LL WRITE A THANK-YOU NOTE!"]]
Starscream's speeches were poorly received. Intending to find more potentially-loyal warriors, Starscream took Soundwave to try to revive the long-dormant [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]. To Starscream's disappointment, Skyquake was loyal only to Megatron, and interested only in fighting the Autobots who arrived. A signal detected by Soundwave sent Starscream to the location of the space bridge explosion, where he found Megatron's body and ripped the sliver of Dark Energon from it. He was forced by the observing [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] to return the body to the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', where he also learned that Skyquake had been terminated by the Autobots. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

When [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] arrived on Earth, Starscream had him captured and substituted [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] with the mission to open the Autobot [[GroundBridge]] to let the Decepticon forces into the Autobot base. Unfortunately Wheeljack broke free before the plan could succeed, and as a result, Makeshift was expelled from the Autobot base onto the ''Nemesis'' hull with an activated grenade. Starscream vacated the hull before Makeshift exploded. {{storylink|Con Job}} After Soundwave picked up on [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System|another Autobot operation]], Starscream figured it was a good opportunity to get rid of the Autobots while they were distracted, and sent a squadron of Vehicons on a search and destroy mission. {{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}}

[[File:DeusExMachina-Screamer grins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"We've had too much Energon shed. I think that a cleansing is in order."]]
To Starscream's discomfort, the crew held a vote and he was obliged to call in [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] to aid in Megatron's recovery. The discovery that an [[Energon Harvester]] was located in an museum on Earth was all the excuse Starscream needed to put that on hold, and the other Decepticons soon obtained the device for him. While they were testing it in [[Greece]], Bulkhead attacked them and destroyed the Harvester. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} Starscream was irritated by Knock Out's participation in street racing, and eventually decided to make an example of him. {{storylink|Speed Metal}}

[[File:OutOfHisHead-grabby.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|That's ''not'' how ATB Megatron and Starscream combine!]]
Some time later, after the ship's electromagnetic shielding failed, Starscream put the Vehicons to work fixing it. Offering Knock Out a post as second-in-command, Starscream persuaded him to help convince Soundwave that Megatron was a lost cause. They were interrupted by Arcee and Bumblebee, who were doing something with Megatron's corpse, and after chasing the two Autobots off, they discovered that Megatron no longer had any brain activity. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} Overjoyed at this, Starscream began a new plan, constructing a heat ray which he attempted to use to melt a glacier to get to a huge [[energon]] deposit. Unfortunately, not only did the Autobots arrive and destroy the heat ray, but Megatron was resurrected and dragged the protesting Starscream away for punishment. {{storylink|Out of His Head}}

[[File:Shadowzone-gah.jpg|thumb|225px|Damn, in [[Starscream (Movie)|another continuity]] the arm comes off and they mock it in this one.]]
Starscream ended up in the infirmary as a result of Megatron's punishment, but continued undaunted in his plans. He took the chunk of Dark Energon he'd been hiding, and went to the site of Skyquake's grave, intending to resurrect the warrior as well as imbuing himself with Dark Energon. Unfortunately the Autobots arrived before Skyquake rose, and Starscream had to retreat through the Decepticon GroundBridge, albeit minus his right arm. After subjecting himself to treatment from Knock Out, Starscream returned to the site to confirm whether Skyquake had risen, only to be attacked by Skyquake's zombified right arm. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}}

When Breakdown was captured to [[MECH]], Starscream's suggestion they rescue their comrade was turned down by Megatron. Starscream went anyway, and found Breakdown had already been rescued by Bulkhead, but escorted Breakdown back to the ship. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}} At an old energon mine, Megatron confronted Starscream about his many transgressions and prepared to terminate his subordinate. Starscream was only saved by the arrival of the Autobots, but on escaping the collapsed mine, realized that he would have to go back in and attempt to rescue Megatron, or face his master's possible wrath later. Venturing back inside, he ended up tangling with the Autobots, and when Megatron later found him, he had been left supporting a large boulder. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}

[[File:Partners-ScreamPrisoner.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Why am I always seen like this? Chest and lower body off to one side, head towards y'all.]]
Starscream was sent with [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] to locate the ''Harbinger'' wreck, only for the spider to leave him webbed up when it turned out the ship was broken in half and the weapon they sought was in the other half. Starscream was found by the Autobots and attempted to convince them he wanted to switch sides, even pointing them to the location of the weapon Airachnid was after. Unfortunately he let slip he'd been the one to kill Cliffjumper, provoking Arcee into attacking him. After fighting her, he was able to limp away, though he decided from then on he would be an independent. {{storylink|Partners (Prime)|Partners}}

Many months later, Starscream snuck on board the ''Nemesis'' to steal [[energon cube]]s and blundered into the workroom that was being used by the recently-amnesiac Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Starscream soon realized what was going on, but when more Vehicons arrived, he was wounded while fleeing the ship. He contacted the Autobots to exchange information for medical help. When [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] and Bulkhead arrived, it turned out they already knew about Optimus's situation, but were interested in what he knew about the space bridge, so he was able to trade the information for aid. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}}

[[File:OperationBumblebee1 Silas meets Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Wanna know how I got these scars?"]]
Tracking a signal, Starscream stumbled upon a MECH trap already sprung by Bumblebee. He was intrigued and followed the MECH helicopter and watched as they tried to install the [[transformation cog|T-cog]] they'd taken into a robot. When their attempt to make the robot work failed, Starscream revealed himself and managed to strike a partnership with them. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} With Starscream's help, MECH secured a source of energon and Starscream was there when they used it on their robot. As Bumblebee came looking for his T-cog, Starscream helped defend it, but when it looked like Bumblebee might get it back, Starscream blasted it and left. Unfortunately Silas was less than impressed, and after a short nap thanks to MECH's weapons, Starscream woke up minus his own T-cog. {{Storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

When [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] arrived on Earth looking for Skyquake, Megatron informed him of Skyquake's passing, noting that Skyquake had perished under Starscream's command. {{storylink|Loose Cannons}}

[[File:Crossfire Starscream injured.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|Ouch.]]
While scavenging for energon, Starscream found that Airachnid had been cast out from the Decepticons and obtained a pet in the form of an [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]. She spurned his suggestion that they team up to defeat Megatron, and he barely escaped with his life. Wounded, he employed his previous trick to get medical help from the Autobots in exchange for information about Airachnid's activities, and even later saved Arcee from Airachnid, sparing her life like she spared his much, much earlier. {{storylink|Crossfire (Prime)|Crossfire}}

Starscream returned to the ''Harbinger'' in search of energon, and instead found a laboratory containing five [[protoform]]s and the equipment necessary for [[cloning]]. He had soon whipped up five [[Starscream clone (Prime)|Starscream clone]]s, which he dispatched to dispatch Megatron. Unfortunately he soon discovered that he could sympathetically feel every injury they suffered, which gave him a good idea how the mission was going. When the last clone returned to report failure, Starscream sensed the clone's treachery and blasted it. Fully aware of the effect on him, he terminated the clone, screaming in their shared pain as he did. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}}

[[File:Triangulation Starscream Apex armor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.34|Starscream SMASH!]]
He was about to operate on himself to install the clone's T-cog when the ship detected the Decepticons sending teams out to locations around the globe. Intrigued, he used the ship's GroundBridge to reach [[Antarctica]], only to be captured by Dreadwing, whom he at first mistook for Skyquake. Eventually, Optimus arrived, and after Dreadwing was buried in an avalanche and the Vehicons accompanying him were dispatched, Starscream now found himself as Optimus's prisoner. The two followed a trail to a human research station where the relic everyone was after was being held. Dreadwing soon arrived and another battle between him and Optimus took place. As they fought, Starscream freed the relic, the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], from the ice block containing it and claimed it as his own. Covered in a full body suit and towering over both of them, Starscream used the armor to fight both Optimus and Dreadwing, a fight in which he was the aggressor for once in a long time. Though Starscream had enhanced strength and was rendered invulnerable, he still couldn't fly, and a few of Dreadwing's bombs created a hole in the ice which he fell through. He was subsequently forced to plod along the bottom of the ocean. {{storylink|Triangulation}}

[[File:NewRecruit-Starscreammonkey.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Next on his list of cat-related videos is Nyan Ravage.]]
Back at the ''Harbinger'', Starscream discovered a photo of [[Red Energon]] on the [[Internet]], as well as a dancing monkey which came as much amusement to him. He took the Apex Armor with him, tracking the substance down to a dockyard where he was confronted by Optimus, Arcee and Bumblebee. Donning the armor, he attempted to retrieve the Red Energon first, and managed to rip a chunk off after Optimus knocked him off the crane. While he was trying to tip the crane over, [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] arrived, and using a [[phase shifter]], removed Starscream from the Apex Armor. The Decepticon responded by firing a missile at the three Autobots on the crane and escaping with a chunk of Red Energon. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

Starscream set about refining the Red Energon, though the process was slow and only yielded enough for one or two doses. Alerted to a Decepticon operation by the ''Harbinger''{{'}}s computers, he used it on himself and soon found Smokescreen had uncovered a relic. Using his new hyperspeed to blindside him, Starscream was able to obtain one of the [[Omega Key]]s, which he later overheard Bulkhead describing as a way to revitalize Cybertron. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

[[File:TFP Inside Job Starscream fistful of keys.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|SQUEE! I've collected all four!]]
Though thinking of restoring Cybertron and ruling it himself, Starscream decided that he didn't have the proper resources to do so. Coming up with a plan, Starscream lured Optimus, Ratchet and Bulkhead to a remote location with the promise of the key he'd found in return for the installation of the T-Cog from his clone. In reality, he used his remaining Red Energon to allow him to infiltrate the Autobot base while leaving the clone behind for the Autobots to find. While stealing the other three keys from, the Autobots figured out his clone was a ruse, and Starscream only just managed to get back through the Ground Bridge. After taking a moment to taunt the Autobots, the Red Energon wore off, and he quickly bridged away to the ''Nemesis'', with the Omega Keys as a peace offering to Megatron. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

[[File:PatchMegatronStarscream.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.4| This feels familiar...]]
Requesting to rejoin the Decepticons, the unconvinced Megatron subjected Starscream to a cortical psychic patch and began rummaging in his memories to determine his true motives. Despite the incriminating nature of most of the memories, Megatron's analysis of Starscream's strengths and weaknesses (including the loss of his T-cog and the fact that Starscream is not the only untrustworthy Decepticon on the Nemesis), has him decide to allow Starscream to serve by his side, as he is better with him than against him. Starscream was so relieved by the turn of events that he thanked the All Spark, but Dreadwing was not so pleased about this development. {{storylink|Patch (episode)|Patch}}

[[File:RegenerationOmegaKeysHologram.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4| now he can find the [[Cyber Planet Keys]] again]]
Knock Out restored Starscream's T-Cog, though immediately afterwards Starscream was attacked by a murderous Dreadwing and had to be saved by Megatron. After Starscream helped Knock Out unlock the secret of the Omega Keys, Megatron left him in charge of the ''Nemesis''. Starscream used information gathered by Soundwave to kidnap the Autobots' three human friends and took them to Cybertron for Megatron to use as hostages. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}}

After handing over [[Jack Darby]] in exchange for two of the keys, Starscream took part in the activation of the [[Omega Lock]]. He survived the explosion caused by the Lock's destruction at Optimus's hand, and when Knock Out attempted a quip, knocked the medic down and demanded he tend to Megatron. Starscream returned to Earth with Megatron to take part in an attack on the Autobot base, during which he shot down Wheeljack's ship, the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'', with Wheeljack still inside. Following the attack, he and Megatron landed in the remains of the base. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

While the other Decepticons dug around in the ruins, Starscream more productively had Wheeljack pulled from the wreckage of the ''Jackhammer''. When human military forces turned up, Starscream offered to unleash the armada on them, but Megatron dealt with the matter using [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]]'s fusion cannons. His interrogation of Wheeljack did not go nearly as well. {{storylink|Darkmount, NV}}

With the arrival of Shockwave, Megatron appointed the newcomer second lieutenant in charge of science, usurping Starscream's role slightly. Starscream attempted to get his own back by discovering a photo of Ratchet on the internet, only to be embarrassed when it was switched for a picture of a dancing monkey by Raf. He attempted a new gambit—allowing Wheeljack to escape with a tracking device, believing it would lead them to the other Autobots, however Wheeljack discovered the bug and turned the tables on the pursuing Decepticons. Megatron's anger was only stemmed by Shockwave bringing [[Predaking (Prime)|a Predacon he cloned]] to Earth. {{storylink|Scattered}}

Starscream complained to Knock Out about the pressures of his position. When the Predacon returned from its flight to catch Autobots empty-handed, Starscream noted it was a pity the beast couldn't tell them why it failed. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}} Starscream was pleased when Decepticon monitoring finally bore fruit and located the Autobots. Unfortunate this turned out to be a series of diversions designed to have the Decepticons spread their forces out, and Megatron was not happy that Starscream fell for it. Darkmount subsequently came under attack and though Starscream did his best to coordinate a defense, the battle ended with him ordering a retreat to the ''Nemesis'' as the base was destroyed. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}} When it looked like the Decepticons were about to embark on another scavenger hunt, Starscream was dismayed, but fortunately it turned out that Shockwave had micro-chipped all his creations, and the fossils they needed would be easy to find. {{storylink|Project Predacon}}

[[File:ChainOfCommandInForItNow.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The hills are alive with the sound of Starscream's butthurt.]]
Following the surprise return of the existing Predacon, Starscream was dismayed to find it put in his charge. He had immense trouble controlling the beast and resorted to using the Apex Armor to protect himself from its attacks. Megatron sent Starscream and the Predacon to [[Scotland]], where they found the Autobots had destroyed a team of Decepticons hunting for bones there. While the Predacon took on the Autobots, Starscream found Miko trying to reach Magnus's ship and accidentally lost the Apex Armor to her. Battle ensued, but when the Predacon left for the ''Nemesis'', Starscream and his two seekers found themselves outnumbered by Autobots and retreated. {{storylink|Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command}} In Megatron's bad books again, Starscream was further inconvenienced when the Predacon damaged the ship's communication dish. Though he tried to have it repaired by the Vehicons, it didn't go so well, and Megatron eventually found out. {{storylink|Plus One (Prime)|Plus One}}

Starscream found Knock Out in the middle of experimenting with [[Synthetic Energon]], and had the medic add Dark Energon to the mix, believing it would allow Megatron to control the results. Instead the new mix transformed Cylas into an energon-sucking zombie and created a plague which resulted in Knock Out and Starscream being chased through the ship. Confronted by Megatron, they were forced to admit what they were done, and were sent to locate and destroy Cylas. They eventually found he had already been dispatched, but to Starscream's dismay, the deed had been done by the recently freed Airachnid. Fortunately he didn't have to deal with her as well, but he later had to face Megatron's wrath over his part in the affair. {{storylink|Thirst}}

When Megatron took him to another abandoned mine, Starscream assumed his demise was near, but they were merely visiting Shockwave's off-site laboratory. The Predacon unexpectedly arrived and Starscream hit it with a metal bar, only for it to transform and vocally threaten to return with physical violence. The Decepticons quickly realized that despite Predaking's loyalty, it would not take him and his fellow Predacons long to realize their superiority to the Decepticons, so Starscream hatched a plan to kill two birds with one stone, luring the Autobots to the laboratory so its destruction could be blamed on them. The plan succeeded, and in the aftermath, the Decepticons discovered that the synthetic energon stored at the base had created cybermatter. {{storylink|Evolution}} Starscream managed to talk his way out of being disfigured by Shockwave over not warning the latter that the Autobots were attacking the lab. As Shockwave was put in charge of perfecting the Synthetic Energon formula, Megatron assigned Starscream to gather technology to repair the Omega Lock, which they would need for a delivery mechanism. {{storylink|Minus One}}

After establishing the location of the Autobot base when they kidnapped Ratchet, Starscream was sent with his armada to destroy the hanger. He did so with aplomb, unaware that the Autobots had swapped the letters on the hangers and he'd destroyed the wrong one. {{storylink|Persuasion}} The error came back to bite him when the Decepticons detected an [[Chip|Autobot probe]] carrying Laserbeak's transponder. Starscream went out and personally destroyed the probe before fleeing through a GroundBridge to escape Optimus. Back on the ''Nemesis'', when Predaking found out about the Decepticons' earlier treachery and went on a rampage, Starscream aided Megatron by blasting Predaking in the back. Though the Predacon was defeated, the ship next came under attack by Autobots. {{storylink|Synthesis}}

Starscream took his squad of Vehicons and encountered Arcee and Bumblebee. They battled the two Autobots, but were driven back to the Omega Lock room where Starscream tried unsuccessfully to get his hands on the Star Saber which Smokescreen had brought along. Starscream watched in horror as Megatron was killed by Bumblebee, but his desire to avenge his leader was unable to be fulfilled, as Shockwave dragged him away. The pair escaped the ship in a lifepod, somewhere over Cybertron. {{storylink|Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock}}

[[File:Predaconsrising-Starscreamupthecreek.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|No! Bad pets! Bad! Don't you want to know what the fox says?!?]]
As Shockwave continued to try to clone Predacons, Starscream searched for more bones, and was soon assisted by [[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]] and [[Skylynx (Prime)|Skylynx]]. The two Predacons eventually led him to a whole burial ground of Predacon remains, but as they were gathering their find up, they were witness to the apparent return of Megatron. Unfortunately it instead turned out to be Unicron using Megatron's body, and as the dark god created an army of undead Predacons, Starscream fled.

Finding the warship, he freed Knock Out and some Vehicons and attempted to retake the ship, only for Knock Out to betray him. He was locked in a cell, however when the warship crashed during the battle against Unicron, he was freed. Once Megatron was free of Unicron's will, Starscream approached him, believing he would resume leadership of the Decepticons, but Megatron was no longer interested in the Decepticon cause. Starscream therefore went to [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] to take his own rightful place as Decepticon ruler, only for Predaking, Darksteel, and Skylynx to arrive looking to settle scores with him. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

====Titan ''Prime'' comic====
[[File:Titan4.6 Starscream holding president.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The president's been kidnapped by Decepticons! Are you a bad enough dude to save the president?]]
Starscream accompanied [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] on a trip to [[Antarctica]] to attack the [[Yamal|NS ''Yamal'']]. He carried the [[static lance]] that Megatron intended to use to detonate the ship's nuclear reactors, and when the Autobots arrived to intercede, Starscream used the weapon to knock [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] out. He tried to do the same to [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], but the Autobot dodged the blow and kicked him in the head, taking the lance himself and ruining the Decepticons' plan. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

Tasked by Megatron with trying to draw the Autobots out, Starscream attacked and captured [[Air Force One]], taking it to the [[Grand Canyon]]. He sent a message demanding Optimus Prime's surrender in exchange for the safe return of the [[President of the United States|President]], but the Autobots turned up in force. Starscream's accompaniment of Vehicons was soon quashed, and Optimus rescued the President, whom Starscream was using as a human shield, by chopping the Decepticon's left arm off. Defeated, Starscream fled. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.6|All the President's 'Bots!}}

Starscream was appalled when Megatron revealed the latest plan—pitting the Vehicons against each other in a series of deathmatches to ensure their army contained only the toughest. He was even more shocked when Megatron expected ''him'' to fight against [[Fearstorm]]. Starscream was able to defeat the much-larger Decepticon through application of his wits; he first managed to snap off the pointed end of on the bars enclosing their match, then used it to pin Fearstorm's arms to the ground. Fearstorm was thus incapacitated, leaving Starscream easy access to the key that granted him victory; his opponent's spark. Afterwards, Megatron was content to let Starscream return to the ship. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.7|Megatron's Law}}

On Soundwave's prompting, Starscream set up an ambush for the Autobots in [[The Wave]]. When it predictably went badly for the Decepticons, Starscream demanded his companion take matters into his own hands. Soundwave did, and as a result Starscream had to later help Soundwave look for his missing hand. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.12|The Evil Shred}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.17|Collider Scope}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.18|Power Outage}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.20|Starscream's Beast}}}}

====Eaglemoss ''Prime'' comic====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Horrible TV}}}}

====''Regeneration One''====
[[File:Gas skunk blackarachnia jetstorm leobreaker starscream war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67| So, [[Multiverse|how many jet fighter people are there?]]]]
As the [[Dark Matrix|Dark Matrix creature]] tortured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] with visions of his [[Sparkplug Witwicky|dead father]] in [[Zero Space]], cracks began to appear in the membrane of infinite worlds. Starscream could be seen through one, alongside [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]], [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], and [[Gas Skunk]]. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

====''Rescue Bots'' cartoon====
When Heatwave was captured by Chumley, Kade came looking for him. Kade called out asking if Heatwave was there, causing Heatwave to ask sarcastically if he was expecting Starscream. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy (RB)|Enemy of My Enemy}}

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Steve Blum]] (English), [[Daisuke Hirakawa]] (Japanese)|[[Jiang Ke]] (Chinese), [[Gerardo Alonso]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Nicolas Dubois]] (French), [[Axel Lutter]] (German), [[János Bácskai]] (Hungarian), [[Nestor Chiesse]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}
[[File:MightyBigTrouble Starscream.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Hello, I'm SpaceNapoleHitler. Give me the thing!]]
Starscream managed to survive his encounter with the Predacons by <s>strategically luring them</s> sheer dumb luck, stumbling upon a weapons cache with enough power to repel [[Skylynx (Prime)|Skylynx]] and [[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]]. He then explored the fortress and found the laboratory where the Decepticons had bred the Weaponizer Mini-Cons and sought to use them to take revenge on Megatron for his cruel acts towards him. {{storylink|Mini-Con Madness (RID)|Mini-Con Madness}} Starscream then reformatted himself {{storylink|Mighty Big Trouble}} to his old body type, before he freed the Mini-Cons but they managed to escape him. {{storylink|Mini-Con Madness (RID)|Mini-Con Madness}} The Autobots believed him to be dead following his encounter with the Predacons, but he was remembered as a dangerous Decepticon in the records of the War. {{storylink|Mighty Big Trouble}}

After he had "helped save the universe, from Starscream, Megatron, and Dark Energon", [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] refused to be defeated by [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye (RID)|More than Meets the Eye}} When Bumblebee attempted to inspire his team with an [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] impression, [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] instead believed Bumblebee to be going for a bad Starscream. {{storylink|W.W.O.D.?}}

In his hunt for the Weaponizer Mini-Cons, Starscream hired [[Shadelock]], [[RoughEdge]], and [[Razorhorn]] to procure them. {{storylink|Mighty Big Trouble}} His hunt forced the Mini-Cons off [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and led them to joining a group of [[Scavenger (RID 2015)|scavengers]]. {{storylink|History Lessons}} He tracked them down to the planet Earth, where Shadelock found [[Tricerashot]]. Starscream ordered him to follow the Mini-Con to lead them to the remainder of them. {{storylink|Pretzel Logic}} He tracked the Mini-Cons to a human ship, missing them by seconds. There he found the scavengers and the [[Dark Star Saber]]. He immediately claimed the weapon as his own intending to use it for conquest before he noted that it seemed to be operating at less than full power. Nonetheless, he still desired the Mini-Cons and ordered his minions to track them and bring them to him. His minions brought him the wrong Mini-Cons. [[Fixit (RID)|One of them]] accidentally revealed [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] was back on Earth and Starscream was able to take the yellow Autobot prisoner by threatening the Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Mighty Big Trouble}}

[[File:RiD 2015 Worthy One-Winged Seeker.jpg|thumb|left|280px|At least he's not a giant screaming head this time.]]
When Bumblebee was aboard, Starscream gloated about his good fortune before the Autobot escaped only to be quickly recaptured. With his captive now in [[stasis cuffs]], Starscream monologued about his cunning escape from the Predacons and his plan to use the Weaponizer Mini-Cons and the Dark Star Saber to not only kill Megatron but conquer the galaxy. He then resumed scanning for his "little doomsday devices" before Bumblebee began taunting him that no one, not even the Dark Star Saber, took him seriously. Starscream swore that everyone would take him seriously, aiming the cursed blade at Bumblebee's throat. A nearby battle between Autobots and scavengers caught his attention where he used his ship's tractor beam to abduct the Weaponizer Mini-Cons before flying off and gloating to Bumblebee of his imminent victory. {{storylink|Mini-Con Madness (RID)|Mini-Con Madness}} Unfortunately it turned out he only had six of the seven Mini-Cons needed, with an attempt at merging resulting in failure. Luckily the last Mini-Con needed turned up at his ship with the Autobots, and he was able to obtain it by knocking everyone out with the Dark Star Saber. He successfully merged with the Mini-Cons, only to lose [[Aerobolt]] thanks to a signal initiated from the ship by Fixit. Starscream managed to fly clear of the ship and engage Optimus and Aerobolt, now merged, in combat until the Autobots succeeded in dragging him back into range of the signal. Separated from the Mini-Cons, Starscream fell comatose and was loaded onto [[Prime Force One|Optimus's ship]] for transport back to Cybertron for justice. {{storylink|Worthy}}
{{--}}

====IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
Years ago, Starscream assigned three Vehicons to construct an [[energon]] mine near the [[Sierra Ridge]] mountains, {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 5|Robots in Disguise #5}} and left them with a bomb triggered by a dead man's switch as an "explosive insurance policy".

At some point after [[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Cybertron's restoration]], Starscream's severed arm was brought to Earth with [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]]. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]] fought Predaking for the arm, so they could convince the three Sierra Ridge Vehicons that [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] was not their superior officer. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 6|Robots in Disguise #6}}

===Toy bios===
Once upon a time, Starscream was an honorable soldier who fought to defend Cybertron. His long isloation aboard an orbital platform changed all that, making him greedy and ambitious, and he jumped at the chance to join Decepticons and get to lead troops again. {{storylink|Starscream (WFC)#Generations|Generations Starscream}} This path would lead to him binging on Dark Energon, revelling in the power it gave him! {{storylink|Starscream (WFC)#Prime|Dark Energon Starscream}}

Starscream, whatever you might think, ''isn't'' running away all the time: he's actually making calculated retreats and when the enemy is going "ha ha Starscream's run away", he comes back without warning and wipes them out. {{storylink|Starscream (WFC)#Prime|Voyager Starscream}}

===''Tales of the Beast Hunters''===
When [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] returned from a battle with the news that [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] had apparently perished in a mysterious explosion, everyone on the ''Nemesis'' assumed Starscream was to blame, simply because he had repeatedly expressed an interest in becoming Decepticon leader. He had to go on the run, all the while Megatron would turn up alive so his name would be cleared. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 7}} Dreadwing managed to track him down, but he convinced Dreadwing that he was not the one who eliminated Megatron, on the grounds that he would immediately take [[Decepticon leader]]ship, rather than flee, should Megatron die by his hands. Dreadwing believed him, and ordered his assistance in finding Megatron. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 14}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
After the Transformers had made their way to Earth, Starscream encountered Bumblebee. Not fooled by the Autobot's vehicle disguise, Starscream pursued the Autobot scout. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Sam Riegel]] (English)|[[Gianluca Iacono]] (Italian), [[Leopoldo Ballesteros]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Cyrille Monge]] (French), [[Olaf Różański]] (Polish)}}
[[File:WFC Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Where are your stupid Macross jokes now?!]]

{{quote|Have no fear, Lord Megatron. Under my leadership, Decepticon victory is assured!|Starscream being all modest|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

For the last thousand years of the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], Starscream was in charge of an orbital facility that had the capability of producing [[Dark Energon]], though they maintained only a small stockpile because of its unpredictable and uncontrollable nature. The station's force of neutral soldiers were no match for Megatron's invading forces, while Starscream and [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]]'s repeated warnings that no one could control Dark Energon had no effect on Megatron's determination. Instead, Megatron tempted Starscream with knowledge of his past, reminding him of his demotion from Sky Commander to a mere guard over an all-but-derelict station, and offered to let him join the Decepticons, something Starscream scoffed at—at least, at first. Starscream attempted to destroy the station's stock of Dark Energon before the Decepticon leader could reach it, but failed, and watched, first with amusement as Megatron entered the storage chamber...and then with shock as Megatron infused himself with the substance and bent it to his will within moments. Starscream quickly volunteered his services for the Decepticon cause, causing Jetfire to label him a traitor and leave to warn [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]]. Megatron sent him with [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]] to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to reactivate the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge|Energon Bridge]]. Starscream performed the mission successfully using his trademark style, flair, and modesty, never mind Megatron's taunting and unreasonable impatience, or Thundercracker's warning him of the danger of certain courses of action, or even Skywarp's cluing in to his constant insults.

During the Battle of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon City]], Starscream led the Decepticons aerial squadrons and [[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]] led the Decepticons' ground assault, while Megatron, [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]], and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] went behind enemy lines and tried to secure the [[Omega Key]]. When Megatron's group met up with Brawl, Starscream refused to send Dark Energon bombers, saying that he wouldn't let Brawl waste anymore of "his ships". Megatron took issue with Starscream dubbing the bombers his, and overrode Starscream's refusal. Later that evening, while looking for the "real" Omega Key, they ran into it: [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]. Starscream assumed Megatron was killed when Omega attacked a [[dropship (WFC)|dropship]] Megatron was heading for and declared himself Decepticon commander. Shortly afterward, Megatron managed to communicate with Starscream and ordered him to attack Omega Supreme, getting the massive Autobot off Megatron's back. By the time Megatron's group were heading for the Autobot turrets, Starscream was ready to sound a retreat, which Megatron overrode with the threat of marking any retreating Decepticon as "kill on sight". Fortunately, Megatron arrived moments later and managed to defeat Omega Supreme, making the retreat unnecessary. Later on, he was present at the [[Core]] of Cybertron as Megatron corrupted it with Dark Energon.

As the Battle of Iacon continued, Starscream fought through Jetfire and [[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]], and attacked [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]]'s group in the [[Decagon]]. However, the Air Commander was injured by Optimus's [[Energon-axe]] and forced to retreat. The wound was apparently bad enough to cause him to sit out the remainder of the conflict. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
{{voiceactor|Sam Riegel (English)|Gianluca Iacono (Italian)}}
Starscream had been in control of Trypticon Space Station for years, until Megatron and his forces invaded. Megatron wished to revive the Dark Energon project to aid him in his conquest of Cybertron, but Starscream would have none of it. Megatron was able to fight his way to Starscream himself, and after a brief battle, Starscream had lost. He begged for mercy, and Megatrons spared Starscream in exchange for loyalty to the Decepticons. Starscream obliged and Megatron was taken to the core of the station.

After a test run of the Dark Energon's effects on Decepticons in Kaon Prison, Soundwave deduced the element would only destroy the host. A furious Megatron set Starscream to work on fixing the problem, with Starscream continuously bickering with Barricade over his usefulness. The problem was eventually solved in time for an attack on Iacon City. When Megatron felled Zeta Prime and found the Omega Key, the titanic Autobot Omega Supreme was unleashed upon the Decepticons, quickly crushing them with ease.

Megatron was downright furious with Starscream, declaring he had brought Omega Supreme's rampage upon them all. Starscream retorted that if it wasn't for Megatron and his blind troops, none of this would've happened. Starscream invited Megatron to kill him, but warned him it wouldn't do a thing about Omega Supreme out for their blood. Megatron for the moment let it go, and finally felled Omega Supreme, gaining total dominance over Cybertron.

Sometime later, Starscream ambushed an [[Autobot rookie|Autobot recruit-in-training]], and would've killed him if it wasn't for Optimus charging to the rescue. He wasn't seen again after that.
{{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|War for Cybertron - Autobots/Decepticons}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
{{voiceactor|[[Sam Riegel]] (English)|[[Gianluca Iacono]] (Italian)}}

Being Megatron's "right-hand man," he wonders how the war could have changed if HE were to be the leader, not Megatron. Still he was ordered by Megatron to do his dirty work, and growing jealous, he waits for the right time, to take his place, as leader of the Decepticons.
{{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{voiceactor|[[Sam Riegel]] (English)}}
{{quote|Megatron will rue the day he made a fool of me. He can keep his precious army. I will build one of my own.|Starscream planning an obviously failed attempt at army building|''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]''}}

Under Megatron's orders, Starscream and the [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticons]] ambushed and captured Optimus Prime under the ruins of Iacon during the assault on the Ark. Starscream's gloating on how he defeated Megatron's nemesis would earn him a blast from the Decepticon's leader's fusion cannon. Starscream's luck would take an uphill turn, however, for Megatron was soon crushed by Metroplex, leaving him the new leader of the Decepticons. At the urging of both Prime and Metroplex, Starscream ordered the Decepticons to retreat.

Starscream's reign as a leader was lackluster at best. He used most of the Decepticon energon and supplies to further his own ego and cover the Decepticon bases with portraits and effigies of himself and constantly broadcasting self glorifying speeches to his troops. Anyone who wasn't on board with Starscream's reign was thrown into the prisons of Kaon. Needless to say, the prisons were full to bursting as barely a handful of Decepticons had any faith in their new leader. When the Autobots acquired the entire energon supply the Decepticons kept in the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]]. Starscream sent the Combaticons to stop the transport. When the transport was out in the open, Starscream ordered an assault on it, despite the fact the anti-aircraft guns were still functional. As the Decepticons suffered heavy losses, Starscream aborted the mission and ordered a full retreat. The Combaticons ignored the order and brought the transport down, at the cost of half the energon on board. Despite the fact that the Combaticons had saved the mission he had abandoned, Starscream accused them of failing and had them arrested.

Later, Starscream decided to have a coronation for himself (despite the fact he had been in charge for some time now). Though sadly it was not to be, as [[The Transformers: The Movie|a newly rebuilt Megatron crashed the event]] and took his crown back from the would-be king, much to everyone else's elation. Luckily, the Air Commander escaped Megatron's wrath, swearing revenge.

Seeking the means to get back at Megatron, Starscream made his way to Shockwave's lab. He came across [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and promised to free him and his team if they would serve him. The Dinobot kindly refused the offer by throwing him into the control panel, freeing himself. This apparently knocked Starscream out as he didn't get back up. What happened to him afterwords is unknown, since most of Decepticons that might have arrested him were cut to pieces by Grimlock. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

{{note|Starscream also appears as a playable character in the Escalation Map, 'Oblivion'. He is the team's [[Ammo Supplier]] and fights alongside [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]], and [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]].}}

===''Transformers: Prime - The Game''===
[[File:TransformersPrimeTheGame Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
{{voiceactor|[[Steve Blum]] (English)|[[Leopoldo Ballesteros]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Cyrille Monge]] (French)}}
Starscream was present when the Decepticons were hauling in an asteroid rich with Dark Energon heading toward Earth. When the Autobots came to stop them, he witnessed the asteroid explode and the Autobots fall out of orbit. He then mocked their inability to fly, which annoyed Megatron. He commissioned Knock Out and Airachnid to seek and retrieve the Autobots, joining in the hunt himself.

Starscream found Bulkhead and Miko in some sort of tomb, and played on his life by nearly collapsing the whole cave on him. Bulkhead escaped the falling cave, and the big guy unleashed tenfold on him. However, one of the Vehicons managed to swipe Miko and take her captive, and Starscream retreated with them.

Starscream later assisted Megatron in finding a missing component of Thunderwing's, and managed to run into his old pal Bulkhead again. Unfortunately, Bulkhead bested him again, this time taking him captive in his own ship! The treacherous Decepticon tricked Bulkhead, however, into bringing him into a room where he was ambushed by Vehicon troopers. Yet again, Bulkhead came out on top of the pile with Starscream retreating in defeat.

Starscream quickly installed the biggest component in Thunderwing, which resulted in him attacking Megatron... ''Megatron used Starscream as a shield.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Prime - The Game}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Online''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers Online}}}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
====Console====
{{Charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}}}

====3DS====
{{Charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (3DS)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}}}

===''Transformers Prime: Battle For Energon''===
When Bulkhead infiltrate the Nemesis to snatch away the Decepticons' Energon stores, Starscream faced off against the Autobot before he could take his leave. Starscream was defeated, and Bulkhead took off with the Energon in hand. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Battle For Energon}}

===''Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense''===
Starscream led a battalion of Vehicon drones to the town of [[Jasper]] in order to secure Dark Energon from a nearby mine. His efforts were thwarted by Arcee. Starscream then attempted to escape from an abandoned military installation with the Vehicons under his command, only to be stopped by both Arcee and Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense}}

===''Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense''===
Starscream and the other Decepticons attempted to prevent the Autobots from constructing a [[Pulsar Dish]], which would destroy the [[Energon Drain]] that the Decepticons had built in an asteroid field. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Prime: Decepticon Strike''===
Using his jet mode to fire upon the Autobot leader, and leaving floating "aerial mines" behind him, Starscream fought it out against Optimus Prime in the skies over a lush tropical forest. Optimus managed to drive off Starscream nevertheless, and Starscream howled back that he wouldn't forget his defeat as he sped away. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Decepticon Strike|Decepticon Strike}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Starscream-(WFC).jpg|thumb|400px|So I'm ''Cybertron'' Starscream as WFC Starscream, introduced in a WFC event with seekers from ''Cybertron''. Confused? ''Good!'' '''*Hotshot 47 BLAM!*''']]
Starscream participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Epic character who was available as a reward in the "Cybertron Episode 2 - Seekers" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

===''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game===
{{note|For some reason, the Legion Class version of the character is not included in the character selection.}}
<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:65%"
|-
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Version'''
! style="background: #00CCFF; color: black" scope="col" width="35%" | '''Unlock Cost (Energon)'''
! style="background: #BF00FF; color: white" scope="col" width="35%" | '''Unlock Cost (Ultra Sparks)'''
|-
| Starter
|4500
|90
|-
|Power Hero
|8000
|140
|-
|}
</center>
{{-}}

===''Power Up for Battle''===
[[File:RID2015 Power Up for Battle gameplay.jpg|thumb|upright=1.44]]
Starscream engaged in battle against Optimus Prime for control over the Weaponizer Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Power Up for Battle}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
===''War for Cybertron''===
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] arrived to a location where [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], Starscream, and Soundwave were battling Autobots. Megatron left, leaving Shockwave in charge. Shockwave ordered Soundwave to [[Transformation|Transform]] and play "[[The Touch]]." Starscream was displeased with Shockwave's choice of song, but Shockwave told him that once he got a higher hit percentage than his own, then Starscream could choose a soundtrack. {{storylink|Commercial#War for Cybertron|GameSpot's commercial for their Shockwave multiplayer exclusive}}
{{--}}
===''Fall of Cybertron''===
[[File:FOC Starscream face broken trailer.jpg|thumb|200px]]
*As Starscream transformed from jet mode and equipped his sword to slice at Optimus Prime carrying the injured Bumblebee, Ironhide intercepted the Decepticon and punched him in the face. The force of the punch broke a good chunk of Starscream's face and threw him to the ground. {{storylink|Commercial#Fall of Cybertron|''Fall of Cybertron'' VGA Cinematic Trailer}}
*Starscream, alongside Shockwave, intercepted Optimus, who was running towards Megatron. The Autobot leader blocked Starscream's slashing attacks with his arm and subsequently shot him in the face from point blank range. This event happened on the surface of the city mode of Metroplex. As Optimus ordered Metroplex to awaken, the city-bot started transforming while Starscream's defeated body was still lying on his surface.
{{storylink|Commercial#Fall of Cybertron|''Fall of Cybertron'' E3 Trailer}}
{{Note|The story of the FOC E3 Trailer seemingly follows on from the FOC VGA Cinematic Trailer.}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
{{main|Starscream (WFC)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Starscream (WFC)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:Tfprimestarscreamjet.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|''ooooo-ooooo/We fade to grey!'']]
[[File:VectorSigmaBotBuilderStarscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Fabulouscream.]]
[[File:Screamer_dashboard.jpg|thumb|right|Nintendoscream.]]
*Starscream's model is usable in ''War for Cybertron'' multiplayer as the Energon Seeker-type chassis for [[Scientist (WFC)|Scientist]]-class characters. His parts are also available to Scientists in ''Fall of Cybertron'', now classified as Arclight-type components.
*Starscream's backstory in ''Exodus'' is self-contradictory:
:''"Not even Starscream, who had spent much of his scientific career in the labs contained within these refracting walls..."'' (p. 78).
:''"See what?" Starscream asked. Neither Starscream nor Megatron were scientists."'' (p. 158).
:*When asked via Twitter, Exodus's writer [[Alex Irvine]] stated "Let's say he's always been scientifically curious."<ref>[http://twitter.com/alexirvine/status/36051088754868224 Twitter post]</ref>
:*In ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark]]'', when Starscream sarcastically remarks how Shockwave is "ever the scientist", Shockwave replies with "as you once were". This implies that Starscream had been a scientist at some point in time, but has since left that field.
*Starscream's thin body and narrow, upward-swept wings in [[robot mode]] recalls [[Starscream (Animated)|''Animated'' Starscream]], but his colour scheme, Igor-like posture and subservience to Megatron recalls the [[Starscream (Movie)|live-action incarnation]]. The game design has the movie bulk but with a [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1]] head and colours.
**And an unintentional one at that, according to the [[New York Comic Con]] Transformers: Prime panel.
*[[Steve Blum]] said he was a fan of [[Charlie Adler]] and [[Tom Kenny]]'s portrayals of Starscream, and had Adler give him his blessing after he got the part.<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/20/steve-blum-talks-transformers-prime-guild-wars-2-bulletstorm-more/ Skewed magazine Steve Blum interview.]</ref> Coincidentally, Blum, Adler, and Kenny are all in ''The Super Hero Squad Show''. Blum would later take over the role of Adler's [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] for the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|Dark of the Moon]]'' game.
*Starscream's body parts are available to use in the Hub website's [[Vector Sigma Bot Builder]] online game. Normally, you cannot configure a generic 'bot using all Starscream parts, but you can see what one would look like at right through the magic of Photoshop.
*In Starscream's dedicated level in ''Fall Of Cybertron'', a secret room on the exterior of Shockwave's tower complex contains a very G1-esque gold crown that can be picked up by the player and worn for the remainder of the level. Words cannot describe how awesome this is...
*Starscream's Hasbro bio takes Fowler's comment "Starscream is his own worst enemy", a little too literally as it lists his arch-enemy as himself. And his ally is Optimus, for some reason...
*In one of the rare noticeable instances of physical change within the "Aligned" continuity family, Starscream's appearance in ''Robots in Disguise'' is changed to be more similar to his ''Fall of Cybertron appearance'', but this time is inspired by both his [[Starscream (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] and his [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|G1 cartoon counterpart]]'s look during the coronation scene in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

===Arms Up Modes===
In the Japanese ''Prime'' toyline, Starscream has named powered-up modes when given various [[Arms Micron]]s in certain configurations:

*'''Full Weapon Mode''' (フルウェポンモード ''Furu Wepon Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': Balo, Gora, Gul, Jida, Zori
:Starscream's box-back Arms Up mode has him using the [[Laser Gunblade]] on his right arm, the [[High-Defense Shield]] on the left, and [[Zori]] in "Flexible Rod Mode" (yyyyeah) on his back.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Starscream''' (スタースクリーム ''Sutāsukurīmu'')
*''Korean:'' '''Starscream''' (스타스크림 ''Seutaseukeurim'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tiānwángxīng''' (Taiwan, 天王星, "Uranus"), '''Hóng Zhīzhū''' (China, 红蜘蛛, "Red Spider")
*''Russian:'' '''Starscream''' (''War for Cybertron'', ''Prime'', Старскрим), '''Skandalist''' (''Fall of Cybertron'', Скандалист, "Troublemaker")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Aligned Seekers]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Transformers Online Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) Decepticons]]

Steve Jablonsky

2023-06-08T18:48:49Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Steve}}

[[Image:SteveJablonsky.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Any relation to Heywood...never mind.]]
'''Steve Jablonsky''' (born [[October 9]], [[1970]]) is an American composer. Aside from being one of the regular composers on the television series ''Desperate Housewives'', he has worked on several [[Michael Bay]] projects, including the ''Texas Chainsaw Massacre'' series, ''The Island'' and, of course, the ''Transformers'' [[live-action film series]].

==Albums==
*''[[Transformers: The Score]]''
*''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Score]]''
*''[[Dark of the Moon: The Score]]''
*''[[Age of Extinction: The Score]]''
*''[[The Last Knight (Music From the Motion Picture)]]''

==Notes==
* Steve Jablonsky [http://theknightshift.blogspot.com/2007/09/steve-jablonsky-thanks-you-for.html personally thanked Chris Knight and all fans] who enjoyed the [[Transformers: The Score|''Transformers'' score]] and organized an internet petition to support its release, despite it being planned anyway.
* Later, [http://theknightshift.blogspot.com/2007/10/first-review-anywhere-of-transformers.html Jablonsky sent Knight two personalised autographed copies of the score soundtrack], as well as a third autographed copy to be auctioned off, with proceeds to fund music education.
* For ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', Jablonsky enlisted the help of his mentor [[Hans Zimmer]] and rock band [[Linkin Park]] while working on the score.
* For ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', Jablonsky collaborated with rock band [[Imagine Dragons]] while working on the score.
* While not the main composer for ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]'', Jablonsky mentored and collaborated with franchise newcomer Jongnic Bontemps, with the tracks "Switchback Chase", "Till All Are One", and "Humans and Autobots United" being credited to him on the iTunes release of the official soundtrack.

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0413011/ Steve Jablonsky at the Internet Movie Database]
*[http://www.scoringsessions.com/news/106/ A photo essay article on scoring ''Transformers'' at Scoring Sessions.com]
*[http://www.scoringsessions.com/news/191/ A photo essay article on scoring ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' at Scoring Sessions.com]
*[http://www.scoringsessions.com/news/231/ A gallery of photos of the scoring of ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' at Scoring Sessions.com]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jablonsky, Steve}}
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:Musicians]]

Steve Jablonsky

2023-06-08T18:11:43Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Steve}}

[[Image:SteveJablonsky.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Any relation to Heywood...never mind.]]
'''Steve Jablonsky''' (born [[October 9]], [[1970]]) is an American composer. Aside from being one of the regular composers on the television series ''Desperate Housewives'', he has worked on several [[Michael Bay]] projects, including the ''Texas Chainsaw Massacre'' series, ''The Island'' and, of course, the ''Transformers'' [[live-action film series]].

==Albums==
*''[[Transformers: The Score]]''
*''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Score]]''
*''[[Dark of the Moon: The Score]]''
*''[[Age of Extinction: The Score]]''
*''[[The Last Knight (Music From the Motion Picture)]]''

==Notes==
* Steve Jablonsky [http://theknightshift.blogspot.com/2007/09/steve-jablonsky-thanks-you-for.html personally thanked Chris Knight and all fans] who enjoyed the [[Transformers: The Score|''Transformers'' score]] and organized an internet petition to support its release, despite it being planned anyway.
* Later, [http://theknightshift.blogspot.com/2007/10/first-review-anywhere-of-transformers.html Jablonsky sent Knight two personalised autographed copies of the score soundtrack], as well as a third autographed copy to be auctioned off, with proceeds to fund music education.
* For ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', Jablonsky enlisted the help of his mentor [[Hans Zimmer]] and rock band [[Linkin Park]] while working on the score.
* For ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', Jablonsky collaborated with rock band [[Imagine Dragons]] while working on the score.
* While not the main composer for ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]'', Jablonsky mentored and collaborated with franchise newcomer Jongnic Bontemps, with the tracks "Switchback Chase", "Till All Are One", and "Humans and Autobots United" being credited under him.

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0413011/ Steve Jablonsky at the Internet Movie Database]
*[http://www.scoringsessions.com/news/106/ A photo essay article on scoring ''Transformers'' at Scoring Sessions.com]
*[http://www.scoringsessions.com/news/191/ A photo essay article on scoring ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' at Scoring Sessions.com]
*[http://www.scoringsessions.com/news/231/ A gallery of photos of the scoring of ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' at Scoring Sessions.com]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jablonsky, Steve}}
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:Musicians]]

Transformers: The Score

2023-06-08T18:03:51Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Notes */ Updated list to include the new variations from Rise of the Beasts.

{{disambig2|the album of orchestrated music actually in the movie|the album of contemporary hard rock songs|Transformers: The Album}}
{{album
|series=''Transformers: The Score''
|image=Transformersthescore.jpg
|caption=Jam that transmission!
|label=[[Warner Bros.]] Records
|releasedate=[[October 9]], [[2007]]
|prodnumber=
|asin=B00122J2W2 (Download) B000VFGQHK (CD)
|prev=Transformers: The Album
|next=Revenge of the Fallen: The Album
}}
'''''Transformers: The Score''''' is an album featuring the original instrumental music composed by [[Steve Jablonsky]] for the live-action ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' film. There was some doubt that such an album would be issued at all; however, after much clamoring by fans of the film, it was released on [[October 9]], 2007 on Warner Brothers Records, some three months after the film's debut.

...In very, ''very'', '''''VERY''''' limited quantities. Dammit.

==Tracks==
# Autobots* — The opening narration.
# Decepticons* — [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] infiltrates [[Air Force One]]. A similar-sounding track plays when Frenzy notifies Starscream of his finding the [[AllSpark]], and Starscream tells the other Decepticons to mobilize.
# The All Spark* — The [[AllSpark]] is revealed to visitors to the [[Hoover Dam]].
# Deciphering The Signal* — [[John Keller]] wishes "good luck" to the hackers.
# Frenzy* — Oddly, nothing to do with Frenzy, but during the scene with the newborn (and soon to be dead) crazed little [[Nokia-bot|Nokia abomination]].
# Optimus* — [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] meeting [[Sam Witwicky]] and [[Mikaela Banes]] after defeating [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]; [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] announces he will sacrifice himself for the humans by absorbing the All Spark.
# Bumblebee* — Bumblebee causes the All Spark to downsize.
# SOCCENT Attack - [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] attacks [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]]. Part of it also plays when Megatron escapes Hoover Dam.
# Sam At The Lake - Sam checks his eBay account; Sam and Miles have a run-in with a local jock/jerk.
# Scorponok* — [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]] attacks the village in [[Qatar]]. Appears again as Secretary Keller and company face off against Frenzy inside Hoover Dam. A sped-up version also plays when Bumblebee meets up with the other Autobots on the highway shortly before the final battle. A different version of the [[theme song|theme]] is played during the final battle in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
# Cybertron — Optimus narrates how [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was destroyed and [[Archibald Witwicky]]'s discovery of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]].
# Arrival To Earth* — Optimus, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] make their debut. The beginning is also used when Archibald Witwicky's Arctic expedition is first shown, as Sam is telling his class about it.<ref name="Autobots">Contains excerpt from "Autobots"</ref>
# Witwicky — The Autobots cause mayhem at the Witwicky home as Sam searches for his grandfather's glasses.
# Downtown Battle — The human-Autobot convoy arrives in [[Mission City]] and are shot at by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].
# Sector 7 — [[Sector Seven|Sector 7]] chases Optimus Prime through the city and under a bridge.
# Bumblebee Captured — Sector 7 captures Bumblebee in a huge drainage ditch.
# You're A Soldier Now — Ironhide, Jazz and Ratchet fight [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]], Megatron kills Jazz, [[Sam Witwicky]] starts taking the All Spark to a rendevouz point, and Optimus arrives. The end of the song was played in Revenge of the Fallen when Bumblebee defeated Ravage and Rampage, and a similar piece was played in Dark of the Moon when Optimus killed Driller.
# Sam On The Roof* — Starscream blows up the helicopter and Megatron smashes the building Sam is on.
# Optimus Vs. Megatron — From Optimus explaining Sam may have to kill him, to when Sam choses to kill Megatron instead.
# No Sacrifice, No Victory* — The part of the ending that did not involve [[Linkin Park]].<ref name="Autobots"/>

<nowiki>*</nowiki> different version in film

==Notes==
* Like many movie score albums, this one is not in chronologically sequential order. Some tracks were used more than once; for example, a faster-paced version of "Scorponok"'s chorus is heard when the humans at [[Hoover Dam]] are fighting off [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]].
* Shortly before the release of the official score, a small collection of tracks was released to media outlets as a promotional item, and soon found its way online.
* MP3 rips of a longer and more complete version of the score found their way online about the same time as the release of the official score. Notably, this collection features the tracks edited at lengths for inclusion into the movie during the sound editing process, suggesting that it was possibly leaked from the recording studio. Also of note was the absence of the major themes from the score, such as "Autobots", "Decepticons", "Optimus", "Bumblebee" and "Arrival to Earth".
* The tracks "Optimus Vs. Megatron" and "No Sacrifice, No Victory" were used during various {{w|New England Patriots}} promos for {{w|Super Bowl XLII}}, and later used by networks such as NBC and Network Seven during coverage of the 2008 Beijing [[Olympics]].
* The track "Scorponok" has been reused for at least one [[commercial|promotional spot]] for ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. The heroic chorus of this track was remixed for ''Revenge's'' second theatrical trailer.
* Rearranged parts of largely-celebrated track "Arrival to Earth" were used in scenes of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', such as when [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] airdropped out of the transport plane above [[Shanghai]], during the search for [[Jetfire (Movie)|Jetfire]] at the [[Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]], and when Optimus is revived by the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. The leitmotif was later again used at various points throughout ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', especially notable in ''[[Dark of the Moon: The Score]]'' for the track "There Is No Plan". Ironically that scene was for the Autobots leaving Earth, while the original theme was first used for them arriving. The track itself plays when the Autobots make their return. "Arrival to Earth" returned in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', when Optimus releases the [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobots]] to recruit them. The "There Is No Plan" version of the track is played during "Your Voice" in ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''. After being absent from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', the track received a new variation in ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]'' with the track "Till All Are One". "Arrival to Earth" is also one of only two tracks present in the majority of the live action films to date. The other, the "Optimus" theme, is featured in "Bee Weeps" and "Pyramid Romance" from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' 's complete score, "There Is No Plan/Goodbyes" and "Are You Coming With Me?" from ''Dark of the Moon'' 's album and complete score, "Have Faith, Prime/Cade Talks to Optimus" from ''Age of Extinction'' 's corresponding album and complete score, "Your Voice" from ''The Last Knight'', and "Humans and Autobots United" from ''Rise of the Beasts''.
* "No Sacrifice, No Victory" was later remixed for the endings of ''Revenge of the Fallen'', ''The Last Knight'', and ''Rise of the Beasts''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.scoringsessions.com/news/106/ Scoring session images and information at Scoring Sessions.com]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Score}}
[[Category:Albums]]
[[Category:Movie media]]

Trial of Megatron, Part 2

2023-01-05T04:11:36Z

UnknownMorsel:

{{apocrypha}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=Animated-TrialOfMegatronPart2.jpg
|caption=I have nothing ''but'' contempt for this court!
|ep=44
|prev=Trial of Megatron, Part 1
|next=Trial of Megatron, Part 3
|title="Trial of Megatron, Part 2"
|airdate=[[August 17]], [[2019]] ([[Unofficial conventions|TFNation 2019]])
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48VylJGEHoM
|videosite=YouTube}}

'''As Cybertron comes under attack from a strike force of Decepticons, Megatron uses Sentinel's incompetent authoritarianism—and his own public trial—to his advantage.'''
==Synopsis==
===Act I===
Upon learning of General Obsidian's attack on the [[energon farm]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] diverts all power to [[Project Powermaster]]. Unfortunately, at the farm itself, this causes the planetary shields to deactivate. To combat the Decepticons now freely attacking the farm, the workers start using the [[Energon#Animated|energon]] crystals as makeshift grenades. [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] manages to save Trac-Tor from Obsidian, but is injured himself in the process. The Decepticons fly away with a silo of energon.

[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], having checked over Bulkhead, declares that the Autobot will recover. At that moment, Optimus' team sees [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]'s endorsement of Sentinel on the news, and turn on him. Sentinel defensively claims that Bumblebee is old enough to make his own choices, and Bumblebee himself states that it was what the [[AllSpark#Animated continuity family|AllSpark]] wanted. Sentinel then presents the young Autobot with [[Elite Guard]] stripes.

Afterwards, Sentinel returns to [[Trypticon Prison]], looking to prise the location of the Decepticon base from [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. A [[Mini-Con]] removes the captive leader's mouthplate, allowing him to speak. Sentinel threatens to use the Mini-Con to rip the location from Megatron's memories if he does not disclose it freely; the Mini-Con extends a nasty-looking spike. Megatron is willing to offer some information, but wants to be given the opportunity to stretch his legs in return. Sentinel gets the Mini-Con to remove the Decepticon's [[stasis cuffs]]. Megatron reveals that the base is located on the fifth moon of [[Chaar#Animated cartoon|Chaar]] but all the while, he is downloading information from the Mini-Con.

Sentinel immediately goes to the [[Project Omega]] lab and demands the Powermaster armor from Ratchet, ignoring the medic's warnings that it is not yet finished. At [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]], the Autobots board their flagship and prepare to level the Decepticon base. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] is convinced it is a trap, but Sentinel is having none of it: "Bring it on," he says. [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] joins the armada, reluctant as ever. Sentinel uses Optimus' misgivings as an excuse to saddle him with [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]], and says that his crew is to defend the energon farms. Secretly, Sentinel hopes that they will not get to see any action.

The armada travels to the fifth moon of Chaar and bombs the Decepticon base. A recalcitrant Omega transforms and unleashes his full arsenal. Sentinel, wearing the Powermaster armor and accompanied by Elite Guard troops, storms the base, only to find it deserted. He pounds the rubble with his lance in frustration, causing the Powermaster armor to suddenly overload, which in turn launches Sentinel into an uncontrollable strafing run at his own soldiers. At the last second, Bumblebee speeds up a ramp and uses his [[stinger (weapon)|stinger]]s to sever Sentinel's connection to the armour. At the energon farm, Optimus, Ironhide, and Ratchet see footage from the moon and realise that it was not a trap, but rather a diversion, when a Decepticon warship bears down on them...

===Act II===
[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] and [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] warp in and join the fight, as [[Strika (Animated)|General Strika]] and the rest of [[Team Chaar]] descend on the farm. Having never seen a flying Autobot before, [[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] is impressed by Optimus' jetpack. Sari is eaten by [[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]], but she manages to blast her way out from the inside. [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] arrives and disables everyone's weapons (including Optimus' jetpack) with an EMP shockwave. [[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] prepares to douse the Autobots in [[Cosmic Rust (disease)#Animated cartoon|Cosmic Rust]], only for [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]], [[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]] and the rest of the [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]] to arrive. When the canister is kicked away from Oil Slick, Optimus ignites the Cosmic Rust, causing a chain reaction with the energon that eliminates all the Decepticons in the refinery.

The [[Autobot High Council]] commends Optimus and grants him the title of the "Eternal Flame", an honour which comes with a fiery new paint job, all while Bumblebee is chagrined. Sentinel is absent for this, as he is too busy yelling at Megatron. Mini-Con guards swarm over the Decepticon leader, who feigns fear even as he now downloads data ''into'' the Mini-Cons. Megatron asks that Sentinel should kill him and get it over it, but Sentinel declares that the Decepticon still has to stand trial. Deliberately planting an idea in Sentinel's mind, Megatron wonders aloud about the kind of grand, theatrical show trial he might be subjected to...

Uplink broadcasts events as they unfold. As Megatron is rolled into the court, [[Rattletrap]] is present as his lawyer. Bumblebee is shunned by his friends. Optimus thinks his new flames look stupid. [[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] brings the trial to order. Sentinel serves as prosecutor, and attempts to begin his opening statement with a list of Megatron's war crimes. However, Rattletrap cuts him off, reminding the court that, at the end of the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], the Decepticons were granted amnesty for their crimes in return for accepting exile. This makes the list of offenses Sentinel is about to read inadmissible.

Sentinel is furious at this, and loudly declares that he thinks it was stupid to grant the Decepticons amnesty in the first place. Alpha Trion admits that he was the one to make the decision at the time, and sides with Rattletrap. Now only able to use evidence from after the Great War, Sentinel turns to Optimus' crew and pleads that they testify against Megatron. Bumblebee tries to back Optimus, but Bulkhead, Ratchet and Sari are not impressed. Sentinel asks Bumblebee to imply that Optimus could have stopped Megatron for good and failed, offering to make him "Bumble Prime" in return.

===Act III===
Optimus, Sari, Bulkhead, and Ratchet each list out Megatron's crimes while on Earth. Meanwhile, inside Trypticon prison, the Mini-Cons' eyes turn red as they swarm the guards and descend via a secret elevator to an operations center with location schematics. After they gather and repair the Decepticon prisoners' weapons, the cell doors open. [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]], [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] watch in confusion as their cuffs all fall off.

Back at the trial, it is Bumblebee's turn to take the stand. He gives his account of [[Endgame, Part II|Optimus' final battle against Megatron]], initially as though he plans to do as Sentinel asked. As he reaches the climax of the tale, however, Bumblebee's tone shifts and he emphasises the heroism of Optimus' choice to spare the Decepticon leader. Even knowing that it might not salvage his friendships, he declares unwavering support for Optimus.

With no further witnesses, Rattletrap takes the stand again and asks Bumblebee to point out the location of Earth—or "Oith", as he pronounces it—on an official Cybertronian star chart. When Bumblebee points out that Earth is not ''on'' the chart, claiming the planet lies outside Cybertronian space, Rattletrap triumphantly proclaims that it is outside of Cybertronian jurisdiction. Henceforth, Megatron cannot be tried for crimes committed on Earth.

The law-bound Alpha Trion is once again forced to agree and rules in Megatron's favor, threatening to throw out the case entirely when Sentinel reacts in anger. Megatron is wheeled back to his cell; his assault on Optimus Prime's space bridge repair ship was the only charge that stuck. Back in Trypticon Prison, the cellblock goes dark. The Mini-Cons scurry like obedient puppies around Megatron's feet, freeing their new master and affixing his weapons. As the other Decepticons arrive, Sentinel finds himself to be the only bot standing between them and freedom...

==Quotes==
"How could you?" 
"He's a big bot now, he makes his own choices." 
"You sold out Prime for some Elite Guard stripes?!"
:—'''Bulkhead''', '''Sentinel Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' see Bumblebee on television.

"Your datatrax won't lie when the Mini-Cons rip them one by one from your processor!" 
"Not the Mini-Cons... anything but the Mini-Cons... just take me offline. Do not prolong this humiliation one more nanoklik." 
"Much as I'd love to do just that, I can't without first putting you on trial." 
"You mean a public airing of all my crimes against the Autobots—with you standing above me like some grand authority, pointing your accusing finger, calling for my head, basking in the glory as I am taken away to meet my final doom? I'd rather take my chances with the Mini-Cons..."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' plays into '''Megatron'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s hands.

"That's right! I'm a bot of all trades and I can prove I didn't do it—I mean, that my client didn't do it."
:—'''Rattletrap''' settles into his new job.

"Only testimony related to events after the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] will be admitted."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' sets the parameters for the titular trial.

"You and your losers—I mean, team—are all I've got right now."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' asks Optimus for help.

"I'm with Optimus Prime all the way—even if he and my other friends never speak to me again."
:—'''Bumblebee''' proves that his heart is in the right place.

"Proceeding... Could youse point out said planet on dis here official-like Cybertronian Galactic Star Chart?" 
"...It's not on that chart." 
"But how can that be? The Galactic Star Chart lists every planet in Cybertronian space!" 
"Then it must be outside of Cybertronian space..." 
''"Ah-ha!"''
:—'''Rattletrap''' plays his trump card, with a little help from '''Bumblebee'''.

"Assault on a space bridge repair ship, that's all we have on him! Assault on a space bridge repair ship! That's like a ''parking ticket!"''
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' is not happy with the result of Megatron's trial.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (2)
*Trac-Tor (3)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (9)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (10)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (11)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (18)
*[[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]] (19)
*Uplink (20)
*[[Rattletrap]] (21)
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] (22)}}
|c2=
{{collist|2|*Obsidian (4)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Strika (Animated)|General Strika]] (13)
*[[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] (14)
*[[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]] (15)
*[[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] (16)
*[[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] (17)
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] (23)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (24)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (25)}}
|c4=
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] (12)
}}

==Notes==
*A full and completed script for this episode was never written, only a detailed outline. Written by Marty Isenberg sometime in (probably) 2008, the outline was converted into an "audio play" for unofficial UK convention [[unofficial conventions|TFNation]] in 2019, featuring almost the entire cast of the cartoon (minus [[Tara Strong]] and [[Judd Nelson]]) reprising their roles. See the [[Transformers Animated season 4|''Transformers Animated'' season 4]] article for more details.

===Continuity notes===
*The events of past episodes are alluded to during the trial:
**Optimus Prime recounts his crew's first encounter with Megatron, which took place in the series premiere "[[Transform and Roll Out]], Part 1".
**Sari explains how Megatron rebuilt his body, which occurred in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 1]]".
**Bulkhead relates how he was kidnapped by Megatron in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]".
**Ratchet describes the hijacking of Omega Supreme, which happened in "[[TransWarped]], Part 3".
**Lastly, Bumblebee explains Optimus' previous battle against Megatron in "[[Endgame, Part II]]".
*Megatron is able to avoid most of the charges levied against him due to them having occurred outside Cybertronian jurisdiction. However, were the remaining Decepticons captured by Optimus' team to be tried, it's likely they would not have been as lucky.
**Lugnut, Blitzwing, and the [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Starscream]] [[Ramjet (Animated)|clones]] would probably be liable for the hijacking of the [[Steelhaven (Animated)|Elite Guard flagship]], coupled with assault and attempted murder of Sentinel, Jazz, [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]], and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], back in "[[Decepticon Air]]".
**Meanwhile, Shockwave-having served as a double agent on Cybertron-would likely be guilty of espionage and attempted murder for his crushing [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] into a cube in "TransWarped, Part 2". On top of all that, he would also be guilty of murder for the death of [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] in "[[Where Is Thy Sting?]]". Provided proof exists of his murder of [[Highbrow (Animated)|Highbrow]], then the crime would become ''double'' murder.

===Transformers references===
*In the illustration created by TFNation to accompany the scene, the ''[[Lost Light]]'' and the ''Armada'' version of the ''[[Axalon (Armada)|Axalon]]'' can be spotted among the Autobot fleet.

===Real-world references===
*Also seen among the Autobot fleet is the eponymous spacecraft from the tokusatsu series ''{{w|X-Bomber}}''.
===Real-world references===
*In the illustration created for TFNation to accompany the scene, the energon transport ship driven by Beachcomber is modeled and colored after the Mystery Machine from ''Scooby-Doo'' lore. Coincidentally, Wyatt worked on ''Scooby-Doo!: Mystery Incorporated'' over a year after ''Animated'' had ended.
*''"Before you know it everybody was [[Circuit-Su]] fighting"'' is a play on the song "[[wikipedia:Kung Fu Fighting|Kung Fu Fighting]]".

===Trivia===
[[File:AllSparkAlmanacII-SeasonFourAutobotLine-Up.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|Guess [[Masahiko Yamazaki]] is right about ''Animated'' taking place chronologically before the movie.]]
*While many plot details from the planned fourth season made their way out into ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'', Marty Isenberg specifically requested that a few be kept back in case the story was ever produced in some capacity. Notably, [[Jim Sorenson]] knew that Rattletrap was to be Megatron's lawyer—a fact which he used while working on the unofficial ''[https://tfnation.com/blog/2017/Presenting%20TRANSFORMERS%20ANIMATED:%20TRIAL%20AND%20ERROR%20-%20an%20original,%20full-length%20graphic%20novel%20exclusively%20available%20at%20TFN2017 Transformers Animated: Trial and Error]'' graphic novel, wherein he deliberately hung a lampshade on Optimus Prime taking Rattletrap's place.
*The "Eternal Flame" granted to Optimus Prime was based on artwork provided to the ''Animated'' production team by Hasbro. The artwork drew inspiration predominantly from the [[live-action film series]], as Hasbro wanted to bring ''Animated'' more in line with what audiences were familiar with from the big screens—but according to Isenberg, the ''Animated'' team ''hated'' the idea of their Optimus Prime having flames. The crack in this episode about the flames being "stupid" is a good example of something included at the outline stage of production that Hasbro would likely have ordered removed from the finished episode.
*The weapons repaired by the Mini-Cons include Shockwave's pulse cannon, Lugnut's [[Punch of Kill Everything|explosive fist]], Blitzwing's shoulder cannons, the Starscream clones' laser cannons, and Megatron's [[sword]]s and [[Fusion cannon#Animated cartoon|fusion cannon]].
*A guard at Trypticon prison (described as sharing a design with the [[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]]s) has a single line of dialogue. For the TFNation reading of the outline, the guard's voice was provided by convention staff member Leanne Gilks.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]
[[Category: Things that don't exist]]

Trial of Megatron, Part 1

2023-01-05T01:12:31Z

UnknownMorsel: /* Quotes */

{{apocrypha}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=Animated-TrialOfMegatronPromoArtwork.jpg
|caption=I'm sure we'll find out Sari's origin ''this'' time!
|ep=43
|prev=The Return of Blurr
|next=Trial of Megatron, Part 2
|title="Trial of Megatron, Part 1"
|airdate=[[August 17]], [[2019]] ([[Unofficial conventions|TFNation 2019]])
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDO_0U7Fwcc
|videosite=YouTube}}

'''In the aftermath of the Decepticons' defeat, an unprepared Optimus Prime is pushed into conflict with Sentinel Prime for the position of Autobot leader—and Sentinel isn't afraid to play dirty.'''
==Synopsis==
===Act I===
[[File:Animated-TrialOfMegatronUplink.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|left]]
On a newsreel, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] leads [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]], and [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] through the streets. The newsbot Uplink presents several soundbite interviews with Optimus and his Autobots. [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] is characteristically excited, [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] is characteristically cranky, and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] plays it cool as always. [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]], while glad to be back, is disoriented by everything that has happened in all the stellar cycles she has missed. [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], on the other hand, is overwhelmed by all the attention because they are celebrities, just like they were upon their arrival on Earth.

Optimus has the [[Magnus Hammer]] but plans to return it to [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] as soon as he gets the chance. As for the [[Protoform#Animated_cartoon|protoforms]] that were stolen by the Decepticons long ago, they have all been recovered and are entrusted to the [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]] led by [[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]], along with the [[AllSpark#Animated continuity family|AllSpark]]. Unfortunately, not all of the Autobots are so warmly welcomed. [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]—a living reminder of the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]]—is shunned by [[Cybertron (planet)#Animated|Cybertron]]'s populace. Many of them are also terrified outright by [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]], having never seen an organic being before.

Optimus is hailed as being responsible for the victory, and the public wants him to be the next Magnus. When Uplink points this out, [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] is quick to downplay his rival's achievements. The feed cuts to [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]], [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] and [[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]], being held in the new [[Trypticon Prison]] in [[Kaon (polity)#Animated cartoon|Kaon]]. Their mouths are clamped shut and they wear [[stasis cuffs]]. Mini-Cons attend to them. Uplink asks why the Decepticons are being held in their own ex-capital city. Sentinel states that it breaks their spirits. When Uplink suggests that the starving Decepticons have nothing to lose, all he has to say is "bring it on".

A memorial for [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] is held at the [[Cyber-Ninja Dojo]], presided by Jazz. Arcee stares at the protoforms; although she no longer has any students of her own, she might do soon. Seeing this, Sari offers to be Arcee's student, hoping to find out more about her own Cybertronian origins and the world she finds herself in. Prowl's body is lowered into a forge, where it is turned into a brand new protoform just like the others. Sentinel arrives, having missed the funeral entirely. He declares that he is too busy as Magnus and begins to speak insensitively about "Pow-Wow" until he is caught on camera by Uplink. He changes tone mid-sentence, praising Prowl. A disgusted Jazz rips off his [[Elite Guard]] stripes. Sentinel turns to Optimus and demands the Magnus Hammer. Optimus agrees that it's time the hammer was returned to its rightful owner—Ultra Magnus—and leaves.

When Optimus finally gives the hammer back to Ultra Magnus, it temporarily revives the comatose leader. Ultra Magnus declares that he was wrong about Optimus' programming, that the younger Autobot did have the makings of a hero all along, and hands the hammer back. Optimus does not know what to say; as far as he is concerned, he was just doing his job. As he remarks that it would be refreshing to see a Magnus with humility, Ultra Magnus finally dies. [[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] is not so easily moved, and declares that the council will make the final decision as to who will succeed Ultra Magnus. "Not if I have anything to do about it," says an overhearing Sentinel.

===Act II===
[[File:Animated-TrialofMegatronPart1-Bar-Brawl.jpeg|thumb|300px]]
Ratchet prepares for the reopening of [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], with the rest of Optimus' crew joining in on the celebration. Arcee doesn't want to go, and neither does Omega Supreme, who worries that he won't fit in at the event—literally, as the establishment might be too small for him. As for Sari, she is much too small for the bot-sized furniture. Omega flies off as the Autobots shriek at Sari. Sentinel is also present at Maccadam's, standing at the back with [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]], and some [[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]]s.

Bumblebee teases his old classmate [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] despite Bulkhead's best efforts to stop him. Sari, meanwhile, resorts to using her jetpack to remain at eye level with the larger bots. She cannot drink oil; she has enough energon to last her a lifetime. [[Rattletrap]] begins to spread rumours that Optimus is to become the next Magnus, and snaps a photo with the Autobot. Sentinel's Autotroopers try to shut him down, but it's too late. When Bumblebee toasts "Optimus Magnus", Sentinel sics the Autotroopers on him, and the Autobots come to his defense. Uplink records the ensuing bar fight, which at one point sees Optimus rescue Sentinel. The next day, Sentinel sees the broadcast, and smashes the screen in anger.

Elsewhere, Arcee is preparing material for Sari's lessons when Ratchet arrives with a gift: a pair of laser swords. He admits that he was actually trying to make laser pointers, but got a little carried away. He then says that things at Maccadam's the previous night did not go the way he had hoped and asks Arcee on a second date. She agrees, but just as Ratchet suggests that they do something that night, Ironhide arrives, summoning Ratchet to the [[Project Omega]] lab. At the lab, Sentinel tasks Ratchet, [[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]], [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]], and [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] to build him a suit of flying armour, dubbing the assignment "[[Project Powermaster]]" and expecting results within the decacycle.

[[File:Animated-TrialofMegatronPart1-Blackout-attacks-Beachcomber.jpeg|thumb|left|250px]]
Out in deep space, a bored [[Beachcomber (Animated)|Beachcomber]] pilots an energon transport ship and bemoans his job; at least he is not on space bridge repair duty. Suddenly, the lights go off—[[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] punches his way into the ship from the outside and grabs Beachcomber, draining the life from the Autobot in mere moments. Heading back outside, Blackout shifts to vehicle mode and begins to tow the ship away.

===Act III===
In her classroom, Arcee lectures Sari about the life cycle of Cybertronians: after a protoform is molded, it is given life by the AllSpark. Under her breath, Sari remarks that she actually misses [[Tutor Bot]]. When Arcee tells her to share that remark with the rest of the class, Sari snaps back that she ''is'' the rest of the class. At that moment, Bumblebee and Bulkhead arrive with [[Burger Bot]] hamburgers brought from Earth via space bridge. Thanks to a "subspace tachyon transmitter" installed in [[Sumdac Tower]] by Bulkhead, Sari is able to speak to [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|her father]]. All around [[Detroit]], strange crystalline growths are forming—raw [[Energon#Animated|energon]]. Sari impresses Arcee by linking this phenomenon to the AllSpark. When Sumdac sees the protoforms, he does not recognize them as Sari's was apparently much smaller.

Bumblebee promises that they will find answers, and he and Bulkhead take Sari to the Cyber-Ninja Dojo, where Jazz lets them in (at Optimus' word). Sari does not know what to ask the AllSpark, but receives an answer regardless—the ghost of Prowl appears, having become one with the AllSpark, and tells her that she has become the key to the future of Cybertron and Earth. The AllSpark grants visions to those present: Sari sees a [[Spark|spark]] merging with a DNA double-helix... Optimus sees a larger version of himself fighting Megatron... Bumblebee sees himself wearing Elite Guard stripes...

Outside of [[Metroplex (Animated)|the Metroplex]], Sentinel meets with [[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] and asks the commander of [[Cybertron Intelligence]] to help make him look good. Cliffjumper is sceptical of this request, noting that it falls outside his job description, but Sentinel persists, asking not just as a leader but as a friend. Cliffjumper bluntly remarks that he is neither. Rattletrap arrives, and says that he has a photo of Optimus being friendly with Megatron. It turns out to be the photo of Optimus Prime and Rattletrap at Maccadam's, with Megatron's head crudely edited in place of Rattletrap's. Sentinel sends Rattletrap off, but the photo has given him an idea of his own.

Bulkhead returns to the [[energon farm]]s on the moon, where the Cybertronian energon is withering. Earth's energon is ten times more potent, but because of its organic component it cannot be grown on Cybertron. Another Autobot named Trac-Tor is tending to the crops. The harvest gets worse every year; whoever controls the energon controls the planet.

Back on Cybertron, Sentinel, Jetstorm and Jetfire meet with Bumblebee. Sentinel invites Bumblebee to join the Elite Guard (leading the young Autobot to remember his vision) on the condition that he endorses Sentinel as Magnus. A conflicted Bumblebee requests time to think on the matter, so Sentinel gives him one solar cycle to make up his mind. Once Bumblebee is gone, the twins ask Sentinel why he has stooped to bribery. "It's war," says Sentinel. Ironhide arrives with an urgent message, but Sentinel does not notice because he is too busy cooking up another plan, one which requires an unremarkable Autobot which he can plant as Optimus' bodyguard to get dirt on his rival. Eventually, the twins point out Ironhide, and Sentinel realises he will be perfect for the job.

Bulkhead is enjoying the relative quiet of the energon farm... but not for long, as a Decepticon strike force led by General Obsidian suddenly attacks!

==Quotes==
"His spark still grooves with us."
:—'''Jazz''' gives '''Prowl's''' eulogy.

"I'm splitsville on the Elite Guard. From now on, I'm swingin' a full-time Cyber-Ninja gig."
:—'''Jazz''' leaves the Elite Guard.

"Optimus Prime. I once told you that being a hero wasn't in your programming. I've never been so pleased to be wrong."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' upon waking up from his coma.

"Humility... something that would be refreshing to see in a Magnus."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' passes the torch.

"Dude, that is so not cool... seriously dude, what do you get by taking meee offffliiiiiine..." 
"A message."
:—'''Beachcomber''' is (finally) murdered by '''Blackout'''.

"Once you carried the key... now you are the key... to the future of Cybertron... and Earth."
:—The ghost of '''Prowl''' foreshadows events that won't occur later in the season.

"So what ''is'' its will? What does it want?" 
"What it wants, has always wanted... life."
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Prowl''' discuss the motivations of the AllSpark.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|3|*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*Uplink (5)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (7)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (8)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (9)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (10)
*[[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]] (11)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (12)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (14)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (18)
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] (19)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (20)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (21)
*[[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]] (22)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (23)
*[[Rattletrap]] (24)
*[[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]] (25)
*[[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (26)
*[[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] (27)
*[[Beachcomber (Animated)|Beachcomber]] (28)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl's ghost]] (31)
*[[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] (32)
*Trac-Tor (33)}}
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] (3)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (4)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (15)
*[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] (16)
*[[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] (17)
*[[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] (29)
*Obsidian (34)
*[[Mindwipe (Animated)|Mindwipe]] (35)
*[[Blot (Animated)|Blot]] (36)
|c3=
*[[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]] (30)
|c4=
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] (13)
}}

==Notes==
*A full and completed script for this episode was never written, only a detailed outline. Written by Marty Isenberg sometime in (probably) 2008, the outline was converted into an "audio play" for unofficial UK convention [[unofficial conventions|TFNation]] in 2019, featuring almost the entire cast of the cartoon (minus [[Tara Strong]] and [[Judd Nelson]]) reprising their roles. See the [[Transformers Animated season 4|''Transformers Animated'' season 4]] article for more details.

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Uplink and Trac-Tor concept.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Wait, [[Apelinq (BM)|you don't look like a gorilla]]!]]
*Prowl went offline back in "[[Endgame, Part II]]"; his presence in this episode as a ghost was first mentioned in the synopsis of the unproduced season 4 episode "AllSpark-alypse Now!".
*Ultra Magnus had been in [[spark support]] ever since being attacked by Shockwave in "[[Where Is Thy Sting?]]". His death was one of the planned details for the unproduced fourth season.
*Blitzwing, Sunstorm, and Ramjet have been in custody since "[[Decepticon Air]]".
*Megatron, Lugnut, and Shockwave have been established as inmates of Trypticon Prison in the follow-up comic "[[The Stunti-Con Job]]", where [[Team Stunticon]] tried (and failed) to break old Megs out.
*The creation of Arcee's swords was first mentioned in the follow-up story "[[The Return of Blurr]]", where Arcee stated to [[Siren (Animated)|Siren]], [[Nightbeat (Animated)|Nightbeat]], and [[Hosehead (Animated)|Hosehead]] that Ratchet build her a pair of pointers for her lectures, only for him to get carried away and make them look like laser blades.
*The beat in which Prof. Sumdac notes that Sari's protoform (featured in "[[TransWarped]]") was much smaller than the protoforms seen in this episode is another piece of the puzzle that is her origin. Though this mystery would have been explored over the course of the fourth season, Isenberg has actually stated that they never really worked it out! However, the season was originally been pitched as having a strong emphasis on [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], which historically have had much smaller protoforms than Autobots and Decepticons.
**While this is pure speculation, it'd be remiss of us not to highlight Prowl's dialogue: "You are the key... to the future of Cybertron... and Earth." Perhaps Sari's protoform would've literally have turned out to have come from the future? Or, perhaps, that she'd simply be the first protoform of a new generation yet to come.
*Beachcomber's death in this episode is a repurposing of a planned scene from "TransWarped" that was ultimately cut for time, leading Isenberg to make another attempt on Beachcomber's life for a later episode.

===Transformers references===
*Although the Mini-Cons are not named individually in the outline, designs for five of them appeared in ''[[The AllSpark Almanac Addendum]]''.
** The first three—[[Grindor (Animated)|Grindor]], [[Sureshock (Animated)|Sureshock]], and [[High Wire (Animated)|High Wire]]—are based on their [[Street Action Mini-Con Team]] namesakes from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]''.
** The other two seem to have been designed with their role as Megatron's helpers in mind: [[Leader-1 (Animated)|Leader-1]] is based on ''Armada'' [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]'s [[Powerlinx]] partner, while [[DUCK-E]] might have been inspired by [[Megatron (BW)|"Beast Era" Megatron]]'s famous [[Rubber Ducky]].
* Obsidian makes his ''Animated'' debut in this episode, though he receives no dialogue in the outline. Much like [[Strika (Animated)|Strika]], the [[Obsidian (BM)|original Obsidian]] first appeared in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', for which Isenberg was a story editor.
** In his panel at TFNation 2019, however, Isenberg admitted that Obsidian's inclusion in the outline might have been a simple slip-up on his part, one which would have been corrected in the final cut of the three-parter by having Strika featured in Obsidian's place.
* The concept of Earth-grown Energon that's more potent than its Cybertronian counterpart is reminiscent of [[Ore-13]] from the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* Arcee's laser sword/pointers were, of course, included with her toy as accessories.

===Real-world references===
*In the illustration created for TFNation to accompany the scene, the energon transport ship driven by Beachcomber is modeled and colored after the Mystery Machine from ''Scooby-Doo'' lore. Coincidentally, Wyatt worked on ''Scooby-Doo!: Mystery Incorporated'' over a year after ''Animated'' had ended.
*Sentinel saying ''"You bots are the greatest thing to hit Cybertron since cubed energon"'' is a spin on the saying "[[wiktionary:greatest thing since sliced bread|greatest thing since sliced bread]]".

===Trivia===
*When Marty Isenberg was writing these episodes, he asked [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] if he knew of any Transformer journalists. None sprang to Wyatt's mind, and thus Uplink was born. When the outline was read at TFNation 2019, Uplink served as the story's narrator; his part was played by fan (and professional voice actor) Chris Finney.
*Trac-Tor was an in-joke amongst the ''Animated'' production team. Isenberg didn't know if Hasbro would be onboard with the character or not, but threw him in the outline anyway. For the TFNation reading, he was voiced by convention guest [[Peter Spellos]].
*Though Bumper Robinson returned to voice Bumblebee for the TFNation reading, he did not reprise his role as Blackout, whose voice was instead provided by TFNation staff member David Wallace. Meanwhile, Tara Strong did not return to reprise her role as Sari, whose voice was instead provided by fan Aimee "Ladywreck" Morgan.
*In ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'', the title for the three-part opener to the fourth season was given as "The Trial of Megatron"—however, TFNation consistently referred to it simply as "Trial of Megatron", and this was reflected in the reading itself. We've gone with the latter.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]
[[Category: Things that don't exist]]

Trial of Megatron, Part 1

2023-01-05T01:12:19Z

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