The Transformers franchise has released a 30-second teaser for Optimus Prime: Awakening, a new 12-minute animated short set to debut during upcoming theatrical screenings. The footage provides a brief look at the project, which serves as a poignant milestone for the series as it features the final recorded performance of the late Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime. Frank Welker also reprises his iconic roles as Megatron and Soundwave.
Directed by Josh Wassung and written by Ryan Parrott, the short is animated by The Third Floor with a score composed by Bobby Krlic. The project is slated to play immediately following the credits of the 4K restoration of the 1986 classic, The Transformers: The Movie. This theatrical event is scheduled for a wide international rollout on September 17, spanning regions including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and several countries across Latin America and Southeast Asia.
This release builds upon the franchise's long history of theatrical engagement, following a 35th-anniversary 4K re-release in 2021. While the original 1986 film was produced by Toei Animation as a direct continuation of the early television seasons, this new short aims to bridge the gap for modern audiences. With the 4K restoration hitting theaters globally next week, it remains to be seen if additional digital releases for the short will follow the limited theatrical run.
