Driller

The Driller is a Decepticon from the Dark of the Moon portion of the live-action film series continuity family.

The Kraken called, he wants his mouth back!

The largest subterranean lifeform native to Cybertron, Drillers are not to be taken lightly. Enormous multi-tentancled beasts capable of burrowing through the ground or through buildings with ease, they are capable of great destruction and carnage on any scale. Naturally, all these qualities have endeared them to Shockwave who keeps one as a pet and personal transport.

“	Aw, man! Why do the Decepticons get all the good shit?	”
—Robert Epps, Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Fiction

IDW Dark of the Moon comics

That's why you walk without rhythm.

Years before the war began, when Sentinel Prime's Autobots revitalized Cybertron by re-energizing the AllSpark, a Driller was drawn to the surface by the fresh energy flowing through the planet. At the outskirts of Thetacon, it attacked some Hatchlings and their protector Starscream. Megatron and Shockwave saved them from the creature, forcing it into retreat, but the beast had left an impression upon Shockwave, who deemed it "magnificent". Foundation #2

At some point before or during the war, Shockwave captured and tamed a Driller—whether it was the same creature he had fought beforehand or another member of its species is unknown—and brought it to Earth with him, where Astrotrain built a cage for it. Rising Storm #3 When its master was about to get killed by Optimus Prime, the Driller made it to Philadelphia and saved him. Ironhide recognized the creature and told Prime that if the Driller is what he thought it was, then they were in a big trouble. Rising Storm #4

Dark of the Moon film

"You never win in a fight against animals. Remember your war with the worms?"
"That wasn't a defeat! It was a phased withdrawal!"

A Driller, this one partially reengineered to serve as Shockwave's chariot and warhound, was summoned alongside its master, at Alexi Voskhod's orders, to attack Optimus Prime when NEST was dispatched to Chernobyl. This was only misdirection, to ensure that the Autobots did not realize that the Decepticons actually wanted them to find the fuel cell from the Ark located within the facility. After Optimus retrieved the fuel cell from the Driller, Shockwave emerged from it to reveal himself to Optimus, and the pair quickly retreated underground. The experience left Optimus somewhat shaken, and angry with the humans that they had concealed the Ark from the Autobots.

Later on, the Driller was present in Chicago, proving to be a deadly threat. It crawled his way in and through a toppling skyscraper by Shockwave's command to flush out Sam Witwicky and his allies, but Optimus, with a jet pack and upgraded weapons from his trailer, attacked it in midair and apparently killed it by slamming his entire body through its head. Dark of the Moon (film)

Games

Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game

The Driller was frozen along with his master, Shockwave in a military base, As Optimus Prime tried to keep Shockwave frozen until reinforcements arrived, the Driller came online and attacked the Autobot leader only to have his tentacles blasted by rockets, this caused it to retreat.

However, Just as Optimus was about to deliver the finishing blow to Shockwave, the Driller reappeared and protected his master, taking him to safety.

Notes

• The Driller resembles an aquatic Decepticon in concept art by Ben Procter for Revenge of the Fallen.
• The Driller also pays homage to a form of Cybertronic wildlife from Generation 1, called the Dweller.
• The Driller's working name was Colossus. The old name still pops up in media coverage.