Upcoming Transformers Short to Showcase Peter Cullen’s Final Role as Optimus Prime

Later this month, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the original release of *Transformers: The Movie*, a remastered version of this iconic animated film will hit theaters for a limited time. Fans attending the screenings will also be treated to a new animated short featuring Frank Welker reprising his role as Megatron and Peter Cullen delivering his final performance as Optimus Prime.

On September 1, it was revealed that when the classic 1986 *Transformers* movie returns to theaters on September 17, it will come with an exciting addition. Following the film, select screenings will showcase *Optimus Prime: Awakening*, a new 12-minute animated short described as “a love letter to the Transformers community and the late Peter Cullen.”

Just last week, Peter Cullen passed away at the age of 85 in Los Angeles. He was well-known for his roles as Eeyore in *Winnie the Pooh*, as well as the narrator for some of the most memorable anime on Toonami, but he is best remembered as the original voice of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots. Fans had speculated whether Cullen had completed any new projects as Optimus before his passing, and it appears this newly announced short will mark his final performance as the character he voiced for four decades.

“*Optimus Prime: Awakening* builds on the acclaimed storytelling and visuals of *The Transformers: The Movie (1986)*, giving audiences a unique chance to relive a pivotal moment in the franchise’s history while also looking ahead to its future on the big screen,” stated a representative in a press release for the short.

Frank Welker, who has voiced Megatron and Soundwave in numerous *Transformers* projects over the years, shared his thoughts on the short and his late friend.

“Optimus Prime and Megatron were made for each other. After all, one needs the perfect hero against the epitome of evil to create great drama,” Welker remarked.

“Peter’s portrayal of Prime was rooted in his personal beliefs: honesty, loyalty, and always doing the right thing. This made it easy to be friends. Returning as Megatron and Soundwave for one final story opposite Peter’s Optimus in *Optimus Prime: Awakening* was a true gift. I will miss my friend, but that voice, along with his heart and values, will always be part of Optimus Prime.”