Summary
While I am looking forward to seeingTransformers One, the upcoming animated film takes away a chance for the movie I have wanted to see sinceBumblebeewas released in 2018. SinceMichael Bay’sTransformersdebuted in 2007, the franchise has leaned heavily into live-action films. The past 17 years have included five live-actionTransformersfilms directed by Bay, followed byBumblebeeandTransformers: Rise of the Beasts, the first of which was directed by Travis Knight, and the second by Steven Caple Jr.
The franchise is now returning to its animated roots with Josh Cooley’sTransformers One, a prequel that will tell the origin story ofOptimus Prime and Megatronon the planet Cybertron.Transformers Oneis an exciting opportunity to explore the history between Optimus Prime and Megatron long before the events of the live-action films, in addition to showcasing Cybertron. As intriguing as these elements are, I am disappointed thatTransformers Onerules out the possibility of another equally compellingTransformersinstallment.
Transformers One’s J.R.R. Tolkien Comparison Makes Me Even More Excited For The Prequel
Josh Cooley’s comparison to J.R.R. Tolkien’s extensive lore of the history he intends to bring to Transformers One is exciting news for the film.
Bumblebee’s Opening Sequence Showed How Great A “Live-Action” War For Cybertron Movie Could Be
It Would Be The Ultimate Prequel
Ever since I sawBumblebee, I have wanted to see a live-action movie about the war between theAutobots and Decepticonson Cybertron.Bumbleebee’s thrilling three-minute opening sequence provides a glimpse of this war on Cybertron as Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and other Autobots fight the Decepticons, until the Autobots are left with no choice but to evacuate the planet.Bumblebeeproviding a rare glimpse into Cybertron reminded me of the opening scenes on Krypton inMan of Steel, with both films showing what life was like on the heroes' home planets before they were destroyed, and leaving me wanting more.
This left me hoping for a live-action prequel that would show more of the conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron, providing an opportunity to explore more of the history behind these characters and their world. While this would require the entire film to be CGI,Bumblebee’s opening sequence proves that this kind of story would be fascinating to watch. It would be a great blend of sci-fi action and world-building, which are some of the franchise’s greatest strengths.
Transformers One Is Happening Because A Live-Action Cybertron Movie Would Be Too Expensive
The Concept Can’t Logistically Work In Live-Action
When Screen Rant attended theTransformers Onepanel at San Diego Comic-Con, producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura explained thatTransformers Onehad to be animatedbecause,“If we tried to do this live action, it would probably cost $500 million. We were forced into animation. … There’s no human characters.“This not only explains whyTransformers Oneis animated but also addresses why a live-action movie about the war on Cybertron is not feasible. Without human characters and all the CGI needed for the Transformers and Cybertron, such a film would be too costly to make.
I am grateful that there is going to be a prequel set on Cybertron, but it is still disappointing to know that the live-action prequel possibilities teased inBumblebee’s opening will likely never happen.Transformers' human charactershave often been one of the main sources of criticism in the films, particularly in the installments directed by Bay, but once all human characters are removed and the setting is moved from Earth to Cybertron, a live-action movie in this franchise is no longer viable. In animation,Transformers Onecan feature visual feats that would not have been possible in live-action.
Transformers One Rules Out A Live-Action Cybertron Movie Ever Happening
Transformers One’s Story Is Also Too Similar
Along with a live-action Cybertron film being too expensive to create,the storyTransformers Oneis telling is too similar to what a live-action version would cover.Transformers Onebegins before the war started, when Optimus Prime and Megatron were known as Orion Pax and D-16 respectively, but it is still a prequel about the Transformers' origins. Just asBumblebee is heard talkingin the opening of the 2018 film, the character is also heard talking in theTransformers Onetrailers, showing his personality before he lost the ability to speak and before his time on Earth.
Bumblebee is voiced by Keegan Michael-Key inTransformers One.
The early reception toTransformers Onehas been overwhelmingly positive and there have been discussions about expanding the story further into a trilogy. This trilogy can build into the all-out war glimpsed inBumblebee’s opening, further negating the need for a live-action Cybertron story. All these elements mean that I will likely never see the live-actionTransformersfilm I hoped would come to fruition six years ago, butTransformers Oneand its potential sequels are poised to be a suitable replacement for it.
Transformers One
Cast
Transformers One is an animated action-adventure movie that marks the first animated feature-length film for the series in decades. The film will be a prequel to the franchise, and will tell the story of Optimus Prime and Megatron in their early years, how they met, and a closer look at the war on their home planet, Cybertron.
