The TRANSFORMERS cinematic universe has brought some of the most iconic heroes and villains from the popular toy and multimedia franchise to the big screen in spectacular fashion over the past decade-and-a-half. With the likes of Optimus Prime and other Autobots, and Megatron and his Decepticons, the property’s staples have caused all kinds of destruction and mayhem in their seemingly endless battle of good and evil.
Soon, we’ll be introduced to several other iconic shape-shifting robots when TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS opens in AMC Theatres nationwide. But, before the highly anticipated movie lands on the big screen, we should probably first introduce some of the heroes and villains that will usher in a new era for the franchise.
Optimus Primal
Those who grew up watching the “Beast Wars: Transformers” TV show, or playing with the assortment of toys based on the late ‘90s CGI-animated series, are probably more than familiar with Optimus Primal, the fearless leader of the Maximals, the descendants of the Autobots. Instead of turning into vehicles, however, the Maximals have the ability to shapeshift into various animals, with Optimus Primal making himself look like a massive gorilla.
Veteran voice actor Garry Chalk brought the character to life in the animated series, as well as its followup, “Beast Machines,” but it will be Ron Perlman who has the honor in TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS. From what we’ve seen in the various trailers for the upcoming movie, the big-screen version of the Maximal leader looks just as strong and wise as his TV counterpart.
Unicron
Unicron, who is easily the most massive villain in the “Transformers” media franchise, doesn’t take the form of a car or animal, but instead, a planet. Yes, an actual planet. The formidable enemy has a history of using the Decepticons to do his bidding, a group whose origin traces back to the massive Transformer.
The version of Unicron in TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS, who is voiced by Colman Domingo, serves as the Terrorcons’ master, once again using his will and sheer size to keep smaller, and less lethal, machines under his control. Unicron previously appeared in TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT, in which it was revealed that the planet-destroying Transformer was actually Earth.
Mirage
Mirage is one of the many autobots set to appear in TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS, in which he will be voiced by Pete Davidson. The Autobot spy with the ability to create extremely lifelike holograms as a form of defense has been seen throughout the movie’s multiple trailers, in which he serves as Noah Diaz’s (Anthony Ramos) Porsche 964 Carrera. The character, thanks in part to Davidson’s delivery, also provides some of the funnier moments in the most recent trailer, in which he gives Noah some much-needed information on the size of Unicron.
The character was previously voiced by the late Francesco Quinn in 2011’s TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, but instead of a Porsche, Mirage was depicted as a red Ferrari.
Scourge
In addition to the Autobots and Maximals featured in TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS, the movie will also see a group of shape-shifting robots known as the Terrorcons. With a name like that, it’s easy to see that the group that originally branched off the Decepitcons is one that is up to no good. One of the main members of the faction in the upcoming movie is Scourge, a brutal trophy hunter whose ruthlessness has no bounds.
Scourge, who was created by Unicron, is voiced by none other than Peter Dinklage, whose commanding voice and presence should bring a nice edge to the fearsome and incredibly powerful Transformer.
