Marvel veteran Chris Hemsworth says he never wanted to mimic longtime Optimus Prime actor Peter Cullen when playing a younger version of the character in the upcoming animated film, Transformers One.
Hemsworth opened up about playing the fearless Autobot leader during the Transformers One panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. The panel, which IGN attended, revealed much about how the movie came together, including details on why it was picked to be animated instead of live-action and a first look at Steve Buscemi as Starscream. It also allowed cast members Keegan-Michael Key (Bumblebee), Brian Tyree Henry (Megatron), and Hemsworth to share what it’s been like playing less experienced versions of characters fans have grown to love for decades.
Hemsworth, in particular, had big shoes to fill, as Optimus Prime has almost always been portrayed by the gentle but strong-voiced Cullen. The actor has helped Transformers become what it is today, but Transformers One takes place so early in the universe’s timeline that the character goes by a different name: Orion Pax. Though filling in to play a young version of the Autobot hero came with its own stresses, Hemsworth wasn’t concerned about emulating Cullen’s work.
“What Peter Cullen has done with the character is so incredible, iconic – and the thing that’s inspiring and terrifying about playing the character,” he explains. “The goal was never to mimic or sound like Peter Cullen. This is the brash young version of Orion Pax or Optimus Prime before he becomes the all-knowing figure we know.”
He continues, saying that it was important to communicate “youthfulness and humor” when playing young versions of beloved characters. That meant offering new perspectives into what fans know while respecting what has come before. The one exception, Hemsworth adds, is toward the end of the film, where he did try to mix in a hint of Cullen’s delivery.
Later in the panel, when each cast member was asked who their favorite Transformer is, Hemsworth answered Bumblebee. Key, on the other hand, favors Soundwave, while Henry picked Ratchet. We’ll learn more about how each actor will portray new takes on classic alien heroes when Transformers One premieres September 20, 2024.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
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