Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Trailer

Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment have release the below trailer for their 40th anniversary theatrical release of Transformers: The Movie. The re-release will use the 4k version of the film release to disc I think for the 30th anniversary with the movie in theaters from September 17 to 21.

Cybertronic Spree Announces Summer Tour

The Cybertronic Spree has announced a summer tour in various cities throughout Canada and United States including a stop at DragonCon in September. The rock band performs wearing mostly Transformers: The Movie inspired costumes with a mix of their original work, Transformers inspired music and covers of music from the 1986 movie. Tour dates and tickets can be found here. Press release below.

Transformers: Cyberworld Complete Season Available on YouTube

Hasbro has released the three part season (series?) finale of Transformers: Cyberworld on the official Transformers YouTube channel. The series has 36 episodes but the first 28 episodes are 5 minutes each while 29-36 are 20 minutes each or about the length it would need to be if it had been successfully sold to air on commercial TV like say on Nickelodeon. The result is the true count is 15 episodes.

Below are links to find all the episodes. After that is embed of the two and half hour "movie" that edits together episodes 1-30. It is also worth checking out the official Transformers YouTube channel's playlist section as can find complete series run for Transformers: Prime, Cyberverse, Robots in Disguise, Beast Wars, and more.

Episodes 1-28 playlist | Episode 29 | Episode 30 | Episode 31 | Episode 32 | Episode 33 | Episode 34 | Episode 35 | Episode 36

Paramount Hires Writer for Transformers Movie?

Been awhile but maybe, just maybe, there is movement on the Transformers movie front. The Wrap is reporting that Jason Fuchs (It: Welcome to Derry) has been hired to write a script for Transformers. That is the extent of the information. This has not been officially confirmed, no info on story, time table or other details.

With Paramount still lasered focused on buying Warner Bros., the studio has been in a holding pattern as budgets are mostly in limbo. What can and cannot be spent will is highly dependent on how that merger goes since it will bury the combined company in an estimated $79 billion in debt which works out to around $400 million in just interest payments per month. This kind of debt is going to heavily impact each and every decision the combined company makes for years to come as its begins its new life trying to desperately avoid bankruptcy.

Transformers: The Movie: The Soundtrack Reformatted Edition Available for Pre-Order

As part of the 40th anniversary "Apology Tour", Transformers: The Movie soundtrack is getting a brand new release from Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). The album has been re-recorded with new artists bringing their own take to the tracks from the original release from 1986.

The Reformatted Edition is getting released on vinyl, CD and cassette along with a t-shirt. There are 5 different vinyl colors exclusive to various online retailers.

The colors are Quintesson Green (USA,UK RPM), Energon Pink (UK RPM), Energon Purple (Target), Hot Rod Red (BBTS), and Energon Blue (Amazon). The release date for most versions is July 24, 2026, the Target exclusive is September 4, 2026.

The full list of retailers can be found at https://linktr.ee/Reformatted with average price of the vinyl around $30, CD around $16 and cassette around $17.

Track List:

1. The Touch – KNIGHTS OF UNICRON ft. Stan Bush (originally recorded by Stan Bush)
2. Instruments of Destruction – KNIGHTS OF UNICRON ft. Francesco Cavalieri (originally recorded by N.R.G.)
3. Death of Optimus Prime – Vince DiCola
4. Dare – KNIGHTS OF UNICRON ft. Stan Bush and Vince DiCola (originally recorded by Stan Bush)
5. Nothin’s Gonna Stand in Our Way – KNIGHTS OF UNICRON ft. Sebastian Bach (originally recorded by Spectre General)
6. The Transformers (Theme) – KNIGHTS OF UNICRON ft. Brittney Slayes (originally recorded by Lion)
7. Escape – KNIGHTS OF UNICRON (originally recorded by Vince DiCola)
8. Hunger – KNIGHTS OF UNICRON ft. Mark Osegueda (originally recorded by Spectre General)
9. Autobot/ Decepticon Battle – KNIGHTS OF UNICRON (originally recorded by Vince DiCola)
10. Dare To Be Stupid – KNIGHTS OF UNICRON ft. Torch (originally recorded by “Weird Al” Yankovic)

Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Screenings

All remains quiet on the Transformers live action movie front. In the meantime, this year is the 40th anniversary of Transformers: The Movie which will return to theaters via Fathom Events from September 17 to 21, 2026 using the 4k version of the film that was released for the 35th anniversary. This is part of Hasbro's "Apology Tour" for killing Optimus Prime which includes releasing a lot of excellent toys related to the movie throughout the year.

Press release:

Paramount Still In Transformers Business

Thursday at CinemaCon, a convention for theater owners, Paramount held its presentation. As part of the that, the new owner of Paramount and soon WB David Ellison made a promise of 30 movies, 45-day window before selling digitally and SVOD (aka streaming to Paramount+) release at 90 days. Along with that he mentioned of vague future plans from Paramount including “World War Z,” “Top Gun,” “G.I. Joe”, "Star Trek", and “Transformers” sequels. None of which have scripts or anywone attached to them to direct. Literally that is the sum total of news. No one is clear how a studio can release 30 films to theaters without competing with its own movies. So good news that Transformers is on the radar of the CEO but that is all it really indicates. A movie is minimally two years out but really longer than that.

Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Apology Tour

After 40 years, Hasbro has decided to apologize for the trauma of killing Optimus Prime in Transformers: The Movie via various celebrations of the movie. The plans are not much different than done for 35th and 30th anniversary but like the angle of approach.

In addition, Skybound has announced a deluxe hardcover edition graphic novel/trade that collects Marvel's The Transformers: The Movie three-issue comic series from 1986 and IDW's 20th anniversary four issue version in 2006. It will release on August 12, 2026 for MSRP of $34.99 but various online and physical comic stores usually provide discounts if pre-order.

Trailer and press release below.

Masters of the Universe Official Teaser Trailer

It is not Transformers as no news on that front but another 80's animation icon is finally getting another shot at the big screen with Masters of the Universe. Below is the official teaser trailer for the movie that will hit theaters on June 6, 2026. The cast includes Nicolas Galitzine (Cinderella) as He-Man, Camila Mendes (Riverdale) as Teela, Alison Brie (Community) as Evil-Lyn, Jared Leto (Tron Ares) as Skeletor, Idris Elba (Hijack) as Man-At-Arms and Morena Maccarin (Deadpool) as the Sorceress.

Merry Christmas from Beast Wars' David Kaye and Garry Chalk

The annual Beast Wars traditional continues as the voice of Optimal Primal and Megatron give us their messages for the year. Garry Chalk runs through just some of the many voices he has done in his long career for the "Twelve Voices For the Holiday" that was a one take run through his song. Shows a master of the voice craft.

Meanwhile the creator of the tradition, the voice of Megatron David Kaye gives his Beast Wars version of the 6 Days of Christmas.

Energon Universe Animated Series Planned

Skybound Entertainment is shopping a new adult animated series based on their Energon Universe of comics. If able to get a buyer, the series would be adult targeted in the same vein as the Invincible series on Prime Video. Joe Henderson (Lucifer) would be the showrunner and write the adptation. 

The series would involve Transformers and G.I. Joe. Currently in the comics, the G.I. Joe team is still forming, Cobra is consolidating power, the Decepticons were recently defeated while Autobots are trying to figure out how to help the humans rebuild after a series of battles. 

Not mentioned is Void Rivals comic book which is in universe and takes place in space, involving a story line with a maybe evil titan Transformer trapped in an artificial blackhole by the Quintessons (its a weird series). If it gets a buyer, this would be the first adult Transformers animated series ever. Hasbro Entertainment is trying to rebuild their use of properties in Hollywood by getting studios to pay for production instead of splitting the costs as did previously. Other plans include Clue board game series, Monopoly film, Magic: The Gathering movie, more Power Rangers and more.

R.I.P. Ron Friedman 1932 - 2025

Transformers: The Movie writer Ronald Irwin Friedman passed away at the age of 93 on September 15th. Yep, he killed Optimus Prime (and wrote a book about it) and most of the G1 cast (as the orders of Hasbro). He also wrote scripts for G.I. Joe the series and write G.I. Joe: The Movie.

From THR: “To remove Optimus Prime, to physically remove ‘Daddy’ from the family, that wasn’t going to work,” Friedman said in 2013. “Hasbro didn’t know how to evaluate it. They didn’t recognize that Optimus Prime was the heartbeat of the Autobots. You cannot pass that over and have any hope of duplicating the success you had. Once you establish an icon, you’re a fool if you don’t try to preserve it.”

That was just the tip of the iceberg as he wrote over 700 hours of television in his career including for classics like The Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days, Get Smart, The Fall Guy, Fantasy Island, and so many more. He was a frequent guest at the TFCon conventions as their montage below shows. Here is a Q&A from his one of his last convention appearances. Condolences to his family and friends.

Transformers: Cyberworld First Episode Now Available

Hasbro has released the first (technically two) episodes of Transformers: Cyberworld. The animated series is part of their new line aimed at the 6 and up age range. Each episode will be only five minutes long but will notice this one is 10 minutes as it is two episodes put together. No idea what the planned release schedule is for the series. The Youtube channel also has complete series and seasons of past Transformers animated series.

R.I.P. Jim Shooter 1951-2025, Transformers Co-Creator

Jim Shooter, a giant of the comics industry, died Monday after a fight with esophageal cancer at the age of 73. Probably most comic and Transformers fans do not know who he is but he was a highly influential part of 1980s comics and foundational to the creation of Transformers. Influence that continues to this day. Reactions from the industry to his death can be found here.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he rekindled an interest in comics as a young teenager. At the age of 13, he started submitted his writing and artwork for the Legion of Super-Heroes to DC, where at the ripe old age of 14 he received work from DC Comics to write stories for Supergirl, Superman and eventually Legion. This was the beginning of a very long career in comics. While still working as a teenager at DC he multiple characters including the Parasite and the first race between Flash and Superman.

In 1969 he started working for Marvel as an editor and occasional co-plotter. He left to work for work elsewhere before returning to DC and then moving to Marvel as an editor again in 1975. Other comics legends tried to replace Roy Thomas including Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Gerry Conway, and Archie Goodwin but all found it was a job they didn't like (if a comic fan, you know this is a murder's row of comics legends). This led to him becoming Marvel Editor-In-Chief in January 1978.

During his tenure that lasted until 1987 he oversaw the renaissance of the X-Men under Chris Claremont, believed to be a failed corner of Marvel but quickly becoming the Marvel standard. His other influence including Frank Miller's Daredevil run, a refocus on Thor, Roger Stern's Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man run. He started company wide crossover events with Contest of Champions and Secret Wars (that will influence the next two Avengers movies) and helped shepherd such significant story lines as Dark Phoenix, Days of Future Past and more. 

It was during this time in the early 1980s, after the success of G.I. Joe toy line, comic and cartoon launch, Hasbro came to Marvel looking to launch their new line based on a bunch of different toy properties that they had licensed from Japanese company Takara. The result was a six page treatment that laid out all the huge beats we know about Transformers with Cybertron, Autobots vs Deceptions, the Ark, Optimus Prime and more. Its worth a read for any Transformers fan. Once the treatment was accepted as the start of the Transformers saga, Shooter eventually turned the assignment over to Bob Budiansky who created most of the characters, mythology, and names that are still part of the franchise today.

Shooter continued in the comics industry, founding Valiant Comics (Ninjak, X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, and more). He then founded now defunct Defiant Comics and Broadway Comics. Some of his last work was writing characters for Dark Horse Comics in the early 2010s. If you are interested, you can read his version of the "Secret Origin of Transformers" Part 1 and Part 2. Suffice it to say Transformers as we know them would not exist without Jim Shooter. Nor would the X-Men movies, TV series and so much more. A true comic legend.

Condolences to his family and friends on their loss.

Michael Bay Returning to Transformers?

New rumors are circulating regarding the future of Transformers movies. 

1) Michael Bay is in discussions with Paramount to direct a new Transformers film from a script written by Jordan VanDina (Animaniacs, Dodgeball 2). 

2) Josh Cooley (Transformers One) is signed to direct a live action movie

3) The G.I. Joe/Transformers movie is still a possibility. 

4) There are two other movie ideas being explored. 

None of this has been confirmed by anyone that isn't in the Hollywood gossip business. 

From Puck News as transcribed from Seibertron:

Bay misses the ’bots (and the megabucks): Did you know that Michael Bay is developing a new Transformers movie at Paramount that he wants to direct? Bay, the auteur of explosions and up-skirt shots that defined the first five mega-grossers, had sworn off directing the franchise since his Shia LaBeouf–free Transformers: The Last Knight earned just $600 million in 2017—big, but about half the gross of the previous installment.(Paramount also tired of his astronomical fees.)

Yet the franchise has atrophied without Bay, and he himself has not reached those box office heights since—even complaining recently about not being able to get movies greenlit.

Bay approached the studio last year to come back as a hands-on producer and possibly director, and he’s got writer Jordan VanDina working on a script. It’s one of five or so Transformers projects in development that David Ellison and Skydance will inherit if/when the Paramount sale closes.

Josh Cooley, who made last year’s animated Transformers One, just closed a deal to pursue a live-action take. There’s also a possible G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover in development, and the studio has two separate ideas in early stages.

Hopefully the Bay project will come together; it really is the perfect match of filmmaker and material. And Paramount can take its time. The studio keeps the rights as long as a movie is in production by 2029.

I have a problem believing these rumors. The Hasbro Transformers license apparently does have a clause that Paramount has to have a movie in production (vs released) every five years or lose the license. Transformers One finished production in 2024 so that means they have until 2029 to get something going. Something as complicated as Transformers need lead time but not four years of it. There is a clock but there is also no rush.

Now if the last three movies killed it at the box office that would be one thing but they didn't. It was a series of diminishing returns where the movies might have made a small profit or broke even. Not making enough money wouldn't necessarily prevent another movie. In this case part of the reason the movies kept coming is the risk was being split between Paramount and Hasbro.

That will no longer be the case as Hasbro is under financial strain due to over all toy sales, including Transformers, dropping quarter after quarter. They announced late last year that they are no longer co-producing any films so the risk is now 100% on Paramount.

This by itself is pretty normal for movies except Paramount is not exactly on financially strong grounds either. Add to that it is stuck in merger limbo waiting on approval from the US government to merge with Skydance. It seems like a franchise as expensive and previously important to the company as Transformers would be waiting on new owners to dictate its future. 

Result is timing wise this news makes no sense to me but Hollywood does beat to its own drum so who knows for sure. Guess will fine out for sure eventually. 

Weird Transformers Movies Fan Theories

For your entertainment, mostly because probably no movie news for awhile, here is a compilation of fan theories about the Transformers movies by ScreenRant. They are pretty out there, giving Michael Bay and the movie script writers entirely too much credit, really just the usual overly complicated ways fans often try to smooth over plot holes. Thanks to Feris O for the link.

Congratulations To Garry Chalk

Garry Chalk, the voice of Optimus Prime in Transformers: Beast Wars and just a long acting career in too many things to list, announced good news. In video below he is reporting that after 12 rounds of treatment for Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, he is doing much better that than was doing around Christmas time last year. "His next PET scan is scheduled for July, which will, hopefully, officially put him into remission."

Paramount Passing on Transformers One Sequel

Transformers One director Josh Cooley confirmed during his Botcon 2025 panel on Saturday that Paramount Pictures has "no interest" in a sequel to Transformers One. This has not been officially confirmed by Paramount. 

Between the last three Transformers films significantly underperforming, combined with the Paramount and Skydance merger being placed in political limbo for revenge purposes, the result is a studio under significant financial strain. Add to that, Hasbro has stopped all co-production agreements which means they will not pay half the cost of producing any future movies related to their properties which was driven by revenue drop in Transformers movies and toys with company wide year over year declining toy sales hampering their bottom line even further. That co-production agreement was key to the filming being made as it shared the risk.

Again none of this is official but all signs indicate that the Transformers movie franchise is parked for the foreseeable future. The Transformers/G.I. Joe movie is probably permanently shelved. As of right now the only thing movie or television related coming for this franchise is Transformers: Cyberverse YouTube shorts that will start July 12.

Transformers: Cyberworld Trailer, Release Date

Transformers: Cyberworld has been given a release date of July 12. The new CGI series will be around five minute each for a total of 36 episodes. Unlike previous series, this one will not be on network television but released on the Transformers YouTube channel. The series is aimed at young kids but likely as with most Transformers animated series, it can be all ages.

It isn't clear what the exact release schedule will be of the series. The channel is worth checking out for long time fans. It has full seasons of Transformers: Energon, Robots in Disguise, Cyberverse, Prime, Beast Wars, Animated and more. Yep, there are toys to be purchases to go with this series.

Everything Wrong With Transformers One

CinemaSins has posted their latest video with the focus on Transformers One. If not aware of the channel, its an intentionally over the top nit pick of films that is meant to be humorous but also on point about the clichés and the like in film.