New Transformers Short Features Peter Cullen's Last Optimus Prime Voice Role
Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment announced that Optimus Prime: Awakening, a 12-minute animated short, will debut after select 40th anniversary screenings of The Transformers: The Movie. It features the late Peter Cullen's final performance as Optimus Prime, which the companies say reveals deeper vulnerability. The short is described as a love letter to the Transformers community and Cullen.
The 12-minute short will play exclusively after select anniversary screenings of the 1986 animated feature, which returns to theaters internationally in 4K from September 17–22, 2026. Newly announced screening locations include France, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, and several Central American nations. Frank Welker, who voiced Megatron in the original film, also returns for this final story, providing voices for both Megatron and Soundwave. Cullen passed away August 26 at age 85. A 40th-anniversary limited-edition steelbook of the original movie arrives November 17 in 4K UHD and Blu-ray formats.
This release may serve as a meaningful farewell for longtime Transformers fans, offering closure following Cullen's recent passing. The short's emphasis on vulnerability could deepen public appreciation for Cullen's craft and the emotional weight behind an iconic voice. For younger audiences discovering the franchise, it may bridge the original 1986 film with contemporary storytelling, potentially sustaining interest in the property across generations.