SDCC 2024: ‘Transformers One’ Panel

Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry and Keegan-Michael Key lead the cast for the new animated movie, directed by Josh Cooley, which is drawing positive buzz.

Preview:

The ‘Transformers One’ Panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con featured casting news about Laurence Fishburne and Steve Buscemi.
Chris Hemsworth and Tyree Henry are among the leads.
‘Toy Story 4’ director Josh Cooley made the new movie.

While this year’s outing of the San Diego Comic-Con has so far proved to be a relatively quiet one (at least until the likes of Marvel show up to offer tantalizing news tidbits), there was some new information about an animated movie that is garnering some positive buzz off the back of early screenings: ‘Transformers One’.

The movie, which stars the voices of Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Keegan-Michael Key and Scarlett Johansson features the much-loved robots in disguise… but at a time when they were able to transform at all.

(L to R) Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Hemsworth and Bryan Tyree Henry at the Comic-Con 2022 'Transformers One' presentation. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

It kicked off one of the early presentation panels, and the actors (minus Johansson, who was busy on the new ‘Jurassic World’ film) were on hand alongside director Josh Cooley (‘Toy Story 4’) and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura to debut some fresh footage and provide some new insight into the movie.

And the panel also offered up the latest trailer, which you can watch above.

What’s the story of ‘Transformers One’?

'Transformers One'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

The new movie is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.

Hemsworth voices Orion Pax, who will become Autobot leader Optimus Prime, while Henry is D-16, the future Megatron. Key plays B-127, a chatty ‘bot who’ll later be known as Bumblebee, and Johansson is Elita-1.

What did we learn about the ‘Transformers One’ cast?

(Left) Jon Hamm as Vice Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson in 'Top Gun: Maverick.' Photo: Paramount Pictures. (Center) Laurence Fishburne in 'Clipped'. Photo: FX. (Right) Steve Buscemi in 'Boardwalk Empire'. Photo: HBO Entertainment.

The panel included word (or rather, confirmation) that Jon Hamm is playing Cybertron leader Sentinel Prime, with Laurence Fishburne taking the Morpheus-alike role of Alpha Prion.

Perhaps the biggest revelation was word that Steve Buscemi voices Starscream, who we know will become one of Megatron’s (usually) loyal lieutenants. In ‘Transformers One’, they’re in opposition, with Starscream proclaiming that “the idea of a unified Cybertron is a myth” –– though it’s clear D-16 is starting to have doubts about his alliances.

Chris Hemsworth at the Comic-Con 2022 'Transformers One' presentation. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Among the panel highlights were funny moments, including Hemsworth remarking that he and Henry –– who never shared a recording booth –– prepped to play best friends by sleeping in bunk beds.

Key, meanwhile (whose character is the comic relief for the movie), looked to lead the Hall H audience in a rendition of the ‘Transformers’ cartoon theme tune, only to find few takers. “Good, now we know who’s over 40,” he quipped.

Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura at the Comic-Con 2022 'Transformers One' presentation. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

This is what producer di Bonaventura had to say about the advantages of animation for a Transformers movie:

“If we did this as a live-action movie, it would probably cost $500M. What has been tricky in live-action is that every time a robot talks, it costs a lot of money. In animation, you can have them build out their character.”

And for Cooley, it was a chance to dig into the characters lore.

“Hasbro gave me the bible of ‘Transformers’, this Tolkien-length history –– so much to play with, a huge sandbox –– I wanted the feeling of what it was like to play with the toys as a kid, that feeling of nostalgia and joy trying to make these things work.”

When will ‘Transformers One’ be in theaters?

‘Transformers One’ will be released on September 20th.

Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Hemsworth, director Josh Cooley and Bryan Tyree Henry at the Comic-Con 2022 'Transformers One' presentation.

(L to R) Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Hemsworth, director Josh Cooley and Bryan Tyree Henry at the Comic-Con 2022 'Transformers One' presentation. Photo: Paramount Pictures.