The legendary voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen, will be heard one last time as the iconic Autobot leader in a new animated short titled Optimus Prime: Awakening. This 12-minute short is set to debut in conjunction with select international 40th anniversary theatrical screenings of The Transformers: The Movie.
Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment announced the short film as a tribute to the Transformers community and the late voice actor, who passed away on August 26 at the age of 85. Optimus Prime: Awakening aims to build upon the visual and narrative style of the 1986 film, offering audiences a blend of nostalgia and new exploration within the franchise.
According to the announcement, Cullen's performance in the short showcases a "deeper vulnerability while retaining the unmistakable strength and authority" that defined his iconic portrayal. Frank Welker, who reprises his roles as Megatron and Soundwave for the short, shared his sentiments about his long-time co-star. Welker stated that Peter Cullen's portrayal of Optimus Prime was rooted in his "personal beliefs; honesty, loyalty, and always insisting on doing the right thing," which fostered a strong friendship between them. Welker described returning as Megatron for one final story opposite Cullen's Optimus Prime as a "real gift" and expressed that his friend's voice, heart, and values will always be a part of Optimus Prime.
Optimus Prime: Awakening is presented as a "love letter to the Transformers community." The short will be shown during 4K anniversary screenings of The Transformers: The Movie, which are scheduled internationally from September 17 to September 22, 2026. New screenings have been announced for France, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Peru.
In addition to the theatrical showings, fans can now pre-order The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Limited-Edition steelbook. This collector's edition will be available in both 4K UHD and Blu-ray formats starting November 17.