As Transformers celebrates its 40th anniversary, fans were treated to a special screening of the re-released Transformers: The Movie followed by a sneak peek at the new after-credits short, Optimus Prime: Awakening. The event, held in Los Angeles, was a collaboration between Collider, Hasbro, and Fathom Entertainment, and it gave attendees an early look at a project that serves as a heartfelt tribute to the franchise's legacy—and a poignant farewell to its iconic voice.
Director Joshua Wassung, known for Predator: Killer of Killers, helmed the 12-minute short, which reunites the legendary Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron/Soundwave. For Cullen, who has voiced the Autobot leader for four decades, this performance was designed as a goodbye. Wassung shared insights into the making of the short during a post-screening Q&A, moderated by Collider's Steve Weintraub.
From Star Wars to Transformers
Wassung's journey to the Transformers universe began with his first job in the industry: working on Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith in the pre-visualization department at Skywalker Ranch. He landed the gig straight out of school after an interview at SIGGRAPH in 2002, even skipping his graduation to fly across the country. "It was a dream come true," he said, noting that he had told his classmates he would one day work on Star Wars—and he did.
That experience led him to co-found The Third Floor, a visualization studio, and eventually to direct Predator: Killer of Killers with Dan Trachtenberg. The success of that project opened doors, including a meeting with Hasbro executives Zev Foreman and Cyrus Warner, who pitched him the idea for Optimus Prime: Awakening. "As a child of the '80s, Transformers is part of who I am," Wassung explained, expressing his excitement at the opportunity.
Crafting a Love Letter to the Franchise
The short is described as a love letter to Transformers, packed with Easter eggs and clues about the franchise's future. Wassung revealed that the script, written by Ryan Parrott, was already strong when he came on board. The challenge was figuring out how to honor the original 1986 film's style while bringing a modern touch. "We had to analyze what resources we could pull together and how quickly we could turn this around," he said, noting the tight timeline to meet the anniversary.
One of Wassung's favorite moments in the short is when Bumblebee finally fires at Megatron, allowing Optimus to turn the tide and chop off his arm. "I was excited for anyone to experience that moment," he shared. The director also drew inspiration from unexpected sources, including a Star Trek: Voyager episode that influenced one of his favorite shots.
Working with Peter Cullen
Wassung spoke warmly about his experience working with Cullen in the recording booth, describing it as an honor. "He's a legend, and to see him bring Optimus Prime to life one last time was incredible," Wassung said. The short serves as a fitting tribute to Cullen's four-decade legacy, and fans can look forward to more Transformers content as the franchise continues to evolve.
For those who missed the screening, the full Q&A is available in the video above. And if you're hungry for more behind-the-scenes stories from the world of streaming, check out our list of Prime Video shows that prove their greatness in the first 10 minutes.
