Peter Cullen’s Final Optimus Prime Performance Confirmed for New Transformers Short

Legendary voice actor Peter Cullen, known for his iconic portrayal of Optimus Prime in The Transformers: The Movie, breathed his final breath on August 26 at the age of 85. In a bittersweet nod to the late actor, Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment have confirmed Cullen's final vocal performance as Optimus Prime will be in a new animated short film titled "Optimus Prime: Awakening."

This 12-minute film, set to premiere after select 40th anniversary screenings of The Transformers: The Movie, serves as a heartfelt tribute to both the franchise and its beloved voice actor. The short film pays homage to the original 1986 animated classic, while also exploring the future of the Transformers universe on the big screen.

Cullen's portrayal of Optimus Prime, characterized by his unwavering strength and vulnerability, has left a lasting impact on fans. Frank Welker, who voiced Optimus Prime's archenemy Megatron, expressed his gratitude in a statement: "Optimus Prime and Megatron were made for each other. Peter’s portrayal of Prime was born of his own personal beliefs; honesty, loyalty, and always insisting on doing the right thing.

This made it easy to be friends." Fans can look forward to the Transformers: The Movie returning to theaters internationally in 4K from September 17–22, 2026, with new screenings set to take place in several countries. Additionally, a 40th Anniversary Limited-Edition steelbook of The Transformers: The Movie will be available for pre-order on November 17, offering fans a chance to own a piece of Transformers history.