Bumblebee Cast at SDCC Reveals Triple Changers

On Friday the cast of the upcoming Bumblebee movie appeared at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con to promote the movie. Director Travis Knight was on hand with Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, and Jorge Lendeborg Jr. Below are the few details that were revealed during the panel.

- Yep the panel opened with a live performance from Stan Bush of "The Touch" from Transformers: The Movie.

- Travis Knight: “It’s an origin story. ...We find out who he was before he met us, why he becomes the character he becomes — it gives the opportunity what he’s about. It’s a way to look at Transformers like we never have before.”

- Knight: His animation experience of world building helped when making the movie. He also looked to G1 designs of the character for inspiration more then the Bay designs while looking to provide each Transformer with a unique silhouette and color palettes to make them easy to tell apart in fight scenes. If didn't do that then it could look like “two Radio Shacks reenacting the Karma Sutra" according to Knight.

- For Knight, Steven Spielberg's coming of age films from the 80s were a source of inspiration for the story which is a "a beautiful love story between these two characters.” (referring to 'Bee and Charlie).

- Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld) is suffering from a major loss when she meets 'Bee who will help her find "her voice".

- John Cena is playing Agent Burns who according to the actor "He knows that he’s right, and that’s the reason that he does, sometimes, the naughty things that he does."

- Decepticons Shatter (voice by Angela Bassett) and Dropkick (voice by Justin Theroux) are triple changers. So red Shatter's alt modes is a Plymouth Satellite and a plane. The blue Dropkick's alt modes is a AMC Javelin and a helicopter.

- There will be a look at Cybertron (hopefully not the beehive Bay version).

- Knight said the jet from the first teaser trailer is Starscream. It is Blitzwing (not confirmed if he is a triple changer too but traditionally he is).

- The US Army, with John Cena's character are hunting Bumblebee with the Decepticons providing help (not clear if the Army is aware of the assistance or not).

- Optimus Prime makes an appearance in hologram form, not clear if Peter Cullen does any voice work.

Peter Cullen Talks Transformers as Titans Return Episode Three Premiere

Go90.com has the third episode of Transformers: Titans Return as Metroplex and Trypticon start what looks to be a series long fight as the rest of the Autobots try to find other ways to end it before a weekend Metroplex falls. To go along with the release the voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen, did an interview about Transformers and once again voicing Prime for this series. Below are some highlights, the full interview is at the LA Times.

When you were first presented with the opportunity to voice Optimus Prime?
Voiceover actors, especially in the animation world, were [once] on call every day from your agent, 24-seven. “Go here, go there.” Today, you don't do that. You audition in your own home in your underwear in front of a microphone on a computer. Back in those days, you had to drive across town and wait in line in auditions. Mostly, what we called then cattle calls — like an NFL tryout. You don't just audition for one, you audition for about four or five roles, and you pick out the characters to read for. You take out a few pieces of paper and try to come up with a voice for each character. I did my Optimus Prime, and found out two weeks later that I was hired for the role. This was a toy that nobody has seen before. Kids will get their teeth into it. There was always the feeling of, “Gee, we got a hit.' G1 [or Generation One of the toys] — that was a long time ago.

In voicing Optimus in so many different iterations, from TV to video games to film, is there much difference for you in terms of the process?
Well, yeah. The animated series, before digital, was done in a small recording studio with cast. When you're working on a movie, you're working on an ongoing piece, and that means a couple of hours. The script has been written and subject to change, and in many cases, I was lip-syncing to animation that had already been created. For those that weren't animated, there were pencil sketches to go on — or we were just speaking dialogue into a microphone. So, yeah, there's definitely a creative process different than what I was accustomed to. Today, working wth the internet process of animation, and its ability to reach so many millions of people, this is exciting as well. It's all new to me, and I'm embracing it because let's face it, the success of anything is about the amount of people that watch it.

Optimus Prime Voice In Bumblebee Movie

While out promoting the blu-ray release of Transformers: The Last Knight, Peter Cullen confirmed to CineMovie that he would be voicing Optimus Prime in the Bumblebee movie. He simply said "yes" to the question about voicing for the movie, no other details were provided so undetermined if a Transformers co-star, voice on the radio, a glorified cameo, no telling until the movie comes out out on December 20, 2018. Full video clip of Cullen and Frank Welker (Megatron) can be found here or below.

Peter Cullen, Frank Walker Talk Transformers

As part of the upcoming Blu-ray release of Transformers: The Last Knight (on 9/26), Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime) and Frank Welker (Megatron) spoke with Collider about the characters that they have been voicing for touch over 30 years now. Click here to read the entire interview, a few highlights below.

Highlights:
- The pair first worked together in 1979 for Mighty Man and Yuff

- Welker on design change of Megatron from cartoon to movie: "But it is interesting to see the changes from the animated version, the G1 version, which was pretty basic, to now with all of the technology and incredible things that they’re doing with design and color and sound … it’s a really interesting—excuse the pun—but true transformation. I’ve enjoyed watching it. I’ve actually had to change my voice to match the size and the differences in the characters."

- Welker enjoyed the ad libbing that Michael Bay encouraged when voicing Megatron for the movie.

- Difference in filming between cartoon and movies is cartoons often had all the voice actors in a room that allowed them to "kind of play off each other. You can build...almost like a play" while the movies required them to work "...one-on-one with Michael Bay, the sound engineer, and a camera on your lips"

- Welker at one point threw his jaw out for 15 seconds doing wolf fight noises while Cullen remembers coughing up blood due to roars for 1986's King Kong.

Peter Cullen Voice Prime for Amusing Toys R Us Commercial

For your amusement, a cute Toys R Us commercial featuring Optimus Prime as voiced by Peter Cullen.

Behind the Scenes of Transformers: Devastation With Peter Cullen

Click the video below for a quick look as Peter Cullen voiced his Optimus Prime lines for Transformers: Devastation that is coming out on October 6.

Peter Cullen Hopes for Less Dark Transformers Sequels

While appearing at the SacAnime 2015 panel on January 15th in Sacramento, California, Peter Cullen commented on Transformers 5 and 6. The voice of Optimus Prime spoke of hoping for a less darker tone to future films and mentioned that he agrees with fans about some of the moments when Prime isn't so Prime but that ultimately the boss' orders prevail (we all know that feeling).

"There is a sense that Transformers movies are going into a darker area" stated Mr. Cullen. "I think I brought the concern to the movie studio and certainly to the writers. Perhaps…Transformers 5 and 6 movies will go back more to its roots. There was an occasion where one line [in Transformers: Age Of Extinction] which Optimus Prime had, I did not want to say. It was my gut instinct and certainly my commitment to the character… not to say the line. But I was told to say. You can’t fight the big boys. I think you all know what that line was."

My guess is the line he is referring to is "I'll kill you" but there are a few others that would qualify. Below is about an hour long video of his panel appearance.

Peter Cullen Honored at Mann's Chinese Theatre Handprint Ceremony

Peter Cullen was honored today at the TCL Chinese Theatre, a famous LA landmark those familiar front has been seen in movies and red carpet ceremonies for decades. The hand print ceremony encases a celebrities hands, signature and sometimes other things in concrete. According to the current owners of the landmark there are really two types of handprint ceremonies - the traditional one for larger block in the building forefront that is decided by committee. Then there is the "mock ceremony" that are paid for by corporate sponsors. In this case by Paramount for the release of Transformers: Age of Extinction on home video. Regardless, Peter Cullen deserves the honor and joins a storied list of Hollywood names. Hopefully for the fifth movie they will do one for legendary voice actor Frank Welker (Megatron, Galvatron, Winnie The Pooh, the list is substantial). Below is a kind of press/fan view of the event and the second video is the "lets sell some Blu-rays" commercial version.

Peter Cullen Wants Bay for Transformers 5

In a brief interview with CinemaBlend, Peter Cullen (voice of Optimus Prime) said he is hoping that Michael Bay will return to direct Transformers 5.

"I have a great deal of respect for him. He generates a great deal of excitement and energy. He's really a hands-on director. My son is a stunt man and worked in Chicago doing a lot of the driving sequences...he said he's a very, very diligent, hands-on guy. He creates a great deal of energy and puts everybody on their toes. I would certainly miss him. I think he's brilliant, his mind is unbelievable. Michael if you're [reading] this, I certainly hope you are coming back."

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark - The Voice of Prime

A new video has been posted to promote Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark video game coming out on June 24th on all the major video game platforms. In the video the voice of Prime, Peter Cullen, essentially sales pitches the game.

Peter Cullen Comments on Re-Auditioning for Prime and More

In an inteview with Hero Complex the voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen, comments on re-auditioning for the role of Optimus Prime, touches on Age of Extinction and his feelings on doing the iconic voice.

“It’s kind of surreal to audition for a character that you basically created,” said Cullen, who originated the Autobot’s stentorian voice in TV performances from 1984 to ‘87. “But I didn’t expect Michael to know what I knew about ‘Transformers.’ I was ready for anything.”

Budget, New Still, and Wahlberg, Cullen Talk Transformers: Age of Extinction

In two brief interviews, Transformers: Age of Extinction stars talk a little bit about the film. Very little, but still get a great Optimus Prime still out of it. In the interview with Hero Complex just comments on returning for picks-up while the article reveals the budget of the film in the $165 million range (1st time seen report on the budget). USA Today has an article on top 10 iconic movie characters that posted this new still (left) along with a comment from Peter Cullen (voice of Optimus Prime).

Mark Wahlberg
“Some people think of this as a sequel,” he said. “We thought of it more as a stand-alone thing. I’ve never done a sequel.”

Behind Scenes of Peter Cullen Recording Session for Toy Line

Below is a short video that gives a tease of some of the lines that may be heard with upcoming toys. The video is part of a recording session between Peter Cullen and voice editors Rick Sellers and Wes McCraw in Ohio. While not specified the only toys I can think of coming out that could use the voice of Optimus Prime is for Transformers: Age of Extinction. While always nice to hear the voice, the lines do nothing to suss out any potential AoE spoilers. (via Seibertron)

The Voice of Prime on Transformers 4 Hong Kong Set (Updated)

A video posted on Youtube from Transformers: Age of Extinction filming on October 25 at Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District provides a look at what might be the final scene of the movie. It shows Nicola Peltz and Jack Reynor standing behind Mark Wahlberg as he talks up at a pole that represents Optimus Prime while Peter Cullen's voice booms from nearby speakers.

Below is my best guess of Cullen's lines which hint at some movie events so spoiler warning. After that moment other bits from filming at other locations are shown. This is from the same source, LF3258, that show posted video of other TF vehicles earlier in the week. The image on the left of Peltz, Tucci, and Wahlberg's stunt doubles is from a gallery of images you can find here. Great photos of mostly the vehicles on set but no clue what was being filmed.

Update Few more set images, with Walhberg carrying his sword and the cast running with their large bag can be found here.

Peter Cullen Cameo Petition

For years now Transformers fans have called for a cameo for Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime, to play a holographic driver of the truck alt mode for Prime. The call has been renewed for Transformers: Age of Extinction in part because of a mention of a stunt driver named Peter Cullen that was mentioned on a TF4 call sheet. In an effort to get Michael Bay and Paramount Pictures to finally provide that cameo, a petition has been started on Change.org. Now Bay is going to do whatever he wants so I expect this to do absolutely nothing but I guess it can't hurt either. Below is the petition description, click here if you wish to sign it. Thanks to Zyfyre for the link.

Cullen, Welker Comment on Transformers 4 at TF The Ride Grand Opening

Today was the grand opening of Transformers: The Ride in Orlando, Florida. On hand for the event was the now 30 years strong voice of Optimus Prime Peter Cullen and legendary voice actor Frank Welker (Megatron, Devastator, more). While on the red carpet, Zap2It spoke with the actors about Transformers 4. Cullen commented on Optimus Prime's new look while Welker was unable to confirm if he would be voicing anyone in the fourth film. More pictures from the opening can be found here. Thanks to Wynton R. for the link.

[Peter Cullen] once again be voicing the Autobot leader in "Transformers 4," and shared his thoughts about Optimus Prime's new look.

SDCC 2012: Peter Cullen Roundtable Interview

Below is the roundtable interview that Peter Cullen (voice of Optimus Prime) has with the press as part of his "Optimus Prime: Up Close and Personal" panel (highlights | video) from last weekend at the 2012 San Diego Comic Con. In the thirty minute press Q&A, Cullen discussed getting the role, the inspiration for the Optimus voice, what it takes to be a leader, and more.

"When I realized the effect [Transformers] had on children, it became a responsibility. ...I am not going to let them down. I am not going to let any fan down. If they love Optimus Prime for what he is i'll be damned if I am going to change anything. If he's been a good influence I am going to keep making him a good influence and make him a better influence if I can for children all over the world."

SDCC 2012 Day 2: FoC, IDW Panels, Cullen Video

Day 2 of the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con has drawn to a close. With it is the last Transformers related panels which was one with the Fall of Cybertron voice cast and the other was a look at upcoming IDW digital comics that included a new Transformers series. In addition the full video of Friday's "Optimus Prime: Up Close and Personal" panel where Larry King interviewed Peter Cullen. Day 0 | Day 1 | Day 2

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
- Game about the death of Cybertron, see the fall through different characters.
- Stages designed for specific characters, will not have option to choose which character plays what level.
- Worked with Hasbro so game fits with canon (so by default the game is canon)
- Made large sections of the game not requiring contant fighting so could explore environment.

SDCC 2012 Day 2: Peter Cullen, Official Images

Day 2 of the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con has drawn to a close. The main panel for the day was "Optimus Prime: Up Close and Personal" where Larry King interviewed Peter Cullen. The interview acted as a kind of retrospective on Cullen's career as the voice of Prime. In addition, Hasbro released official images (links below) of all the toys they announced and had on display at SDCC. The last major Transformers related panel is the Activision Panel with FoC Voice Talent. Schedule | Day 0 | Day 1

Optimus Prime: Up Close and Personal highlights
- Radio job in Montreal doing commercials and characters led to TV jobs.
- First big break was "Sonny and Cher" show.
- Inspiration for Optimus' voice was his brother Larry due to his "honest, truthful" personality.
- Believes Prime has matured over the years and Peter fights any attempts to push Prime in direction that doesn't fit the character.
- Favorite Optimus quote: "Hold onto your dreams, the future is built on dreams."
- Did agree that Dark of the Moon line, "We will kill them all" was out of character but was overruled.
- Said working with The Hub has been best experience so far in regards to voicing Prime.
- Mel Blanc was his hero, watching matinees when young. Blanc is the greatest voice actor of all time, if don't know his name, hit link to learn.

Official Hasbro Images
Fall of Cybertron | Import Generations | TF Prime Dark Energon | TF Prime Voyagers | TF Prime Cyberverse | Exclusives | Kre-O Microchangers | Bot Shots | Rescue Bots | Display Cases

Peter Cullen T-Shirt for Charity

For the next 24 hours, RIPT Apparel is selling a tribute to Peter Cullen T-Shirt called "Voice of a Generation" with $2 from each shirt going to Hasbro Children's Hospital. The charity sale will run today until midnight central time (1am 4/4 EST). As the image indicates the shirt depicts cullen ripping open his shirt Superman style revealing the Optimus Prime cab. Hopefully if this is successful they will do one for Frank Welker (Megatron), whose storied voice career is truly the voice generations have grown up to even if they don't know it. The shirt looks good, inexpensive and for a good cause. Click here to orders yours.