Peter Cullen’s Final Optimus Prime Performance Confirmed for New Transformers Short
Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor who defined Optimus Prime for generations of Transformers fans, passed away in late August at age 85. His final vocal performance as the Autobot leader will be preserved in “Optimus Prime: Awakening,” a new 12-minute animated short film announced by Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment. The short will premiere alongside select 40th anniversary theatrical screenings of The Transformers: The Movie, which is being re-released this month to celebrate the classic animated film’s milestone anniversary.
Described as “a fully realized, 12-minute animated short designed as a love letter to the Transformers community and the late Peter Cullen,” the film honors both the voice actor and his profound impact on the franchise spanning decades. Cullen’s voice work became synonymous with the character, making him one of the most recognizable voices in animation history. The announcement comes as a bittersweet occasion for Transformers fans worldwide, who will have one final opportunity to experience the iconic performance from the man who brought Optimus Prime to life.