Roll out

The name or term "Rollout" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Rollout (disambiguation).

Roll, float, drift, fall... whatever.

"Roll out" is a common command among Transformers (primarily the Autobots), essentially meaning to move out, deploy or otherwise embark on a mission. Its literal meaning, to start rolling in one's ground-based, wheel-equipped vehicle mode, appears to have become diluted over time, to the point that Transformers who don't even have vehicular alternate forms (and have to run to where they're going) still give/receive the order.

Autobots, transform and roll out!Optimus Primes across the multiverse, too many times to count

Fiction

The Transformers cartoon

The phrase in its most iconic form was uttered by Optimus Prime; it typically signified the start of a mission, as the group transformed and deployed to counter the Decepticons' latest scheme.

After Hot Rod opened the Matrix and became Rodimus Prime, his first act as Autobot leader was to order the Autobots to "transform and roll out"... through space (and Unicron's remaining unsmashed eye)! The Transformers: The Movie

It was such a famous command that, in the months following Optimus Prime's death, Pipes rallied his troops to defend Autobot Headquarters thus: "As Optimus Prime used to say, transform and roll out!" Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5

Marvel Comics continuity

Maybe it's because I can't fly and have to roll everywhere I go.

The phrase here was less associated with Optimus Prime, though he did use it to start off several missions in the months after he was returned from Shockwave's captivity. In fact, the first known utterance of the phrase was by Wheeljack, as he and Jazz left the Ark on a mission. DIS-Integrated Circuits!

Move 'em on, head 'em up! Ride 'em in, count 'em out!

Later it would be used to command all sorts of Transformers to do all sorts of things, such as running to one's destination, Brothers in Armor!! or leaping out of a starship into space. Spacehikers!

When Prime first returned to command Autobots on a mission, he used the phrase so gratuitously that it wasn't even a command to go anywhere; it essentially just meant "turn around and fight." Since Prime was nothing more than a computer-generated program at the time, maybe we can cut him a little slack. Pretender to the Throne!

Like the belated appearance of energon cubes, the phrase's frequent use even when it makes no sense would appear to be a point of the comics converging toward the more well-known G1 cartoon.

Beast Wars

While briefly holding the spark of Optimus Prime, Maximal leader Optimus Primal told the Maximals that it was "time to transform and roll out!" Optimal Situation

Though it would seem logical, nobody has ever told Retrax to "roll out". Not too many other Beast Warriors are much equipped to do so.

Transformers (2007 movie)

Optimus Prime used a version of the catchphrase twice in the movie, once at the observatory, shortened to "Autobots, roll out!", and earlier when transforming to escape from Sector Seven as just "Roll out!". "Transforming" in either case must have seemed too obvious to mention. Transformers He would later declare "Let's roll", as he blasted off, newly upgraded, to defeat The Fallen. He didn't seem to be saying it to anyone in particular, but Lennox apparently took it literally and had everyone run towards the impending battle. Revenge of the Fallen

Transformers Animated

Repair crew captain Optimus Prime, once settled/stranded on Earth, typically used the command "Transform and roll out!" to have his squad deploy on a mission. Transform and Roll Out It became such a catchphrase for him that his adoring young fans among the population of Detroit requested that he say the phrase for them. Sound and Fury Ultra Magnus later told Jazz to "Transform and roll out" when he decided that the two of them should deal with a runaway train. Mission Accomplished

When the Autobots found themselves turned into humans temporarily, Optimus at one point reflexively ordered his team to "transform". When he realized that didn't work any more, he moved on to "roll out". Upon realizing that didn't apply either, he finally lamely settled on "let's just go". Poor guy. Human Error, Part I

The Decepticons have their own version of the command: "Transform and rise up!" Megatron Rising - Part 2 Most of the Animated Decepticons (Megatron, Blitzwing, Lugnut and Starscream) have flying vehicle modes, hence the reason for the variation on the Command.

Shattered Glass

In one of the few things that isn't opposite, the phrase still seems to mainly be favored by the Autobots.

Optimus Prime ordered the Seekers to transform and roll out to defend the Ark platform from the Decepticons' raid. Shattered Glass Much later, in a sinister variation, Rodimus ordered the Autobots to "transform and roll over" some humans while taking over an Earth military base. Eye in the Sky

One of the less-frequent Decepticon usages of the phrase cropped up when, while escaping from Alpha Trion, Landquake ordered Breakaway and Topspin to transform and roll out. (Despite Landquake being the only one of the three who rolls, and Breakaway being unable to transform due to carrying Skyfall...) Reunification: Part 2

Wings of Honor

Even back in the days before the Prime initiative, at least part of the phrase was already popular enough for Thunder Clash to have given an "Autobots, roll out" order to his squad upon planetfall for a mission. Wings of Honor

Prime

Most of the time, Optimus Prime simply commands the Autobots to roll out, but on one very rare occasion he's used the full "Transform and roll out" phrase. Legacy Megatron would later borrow his Animated counterpart's catchphrase, ordering his armada to mobilize and attack the Autobot base with it. Darkest Hour (episode)

Rescue Bots

Shortly after Rescue Force Sigma-17 first landed on Earth and met with Optimus Prime, Heatwave asked when they could be expected to "roll out" with Optimus into combat, in a way that suggested familiarity with the common phrase.

The Rescue Bots also had their own variation: "Rescue Bots, roll to the rescue!". Family of Heroes

Notes

Foreign phrases

• Japanese: Shutsugeki (出撃, "Sally-forth, mobilize, move out, etc.")

See also

• Decepticons, attack