Paramount Debuts Exciting New Transformers Animated Film at Comic-Con

Paramount kicked off the event at San Diego Comic-Con with a bang, showcasing its new animated feature, which left fans buzzing with excitement.

The studio has been building anticipation for this film for weeks, having already shown a work-in-progress version at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Earlier this week, fans got a sneak peek during a screening in Los Angeles, making the panel focused less on news and more on fun.

On stage, the star-studded voice cast charmed the audience, including Hemsworth voicing Orion Pax, who eventually becomes Optimus Prime, and Henry portraying D-16, who turns into the villainous Megatron. Keegan-Michael Key provided the voice for B-127, who will also transform into Bumblebee.

The cast was accompanied by director Josh Cooley and longtime producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. Key had everyone laughing with his impressions of Transformers sound effects and even threw in a rendition of the classic theme song. During the Q&A, a young fan’s question led to good-natured ribbing among the stars, creating a lighthearted atmosphere.

Hemsworth shared his fondness for the nostalgic stories from the franchise, emphasizing the lessons of justice and morality they represent. Similarly, Henry reflected on his childhood experiences with villain characters, hoping to understand their backstories better.

The plot of the movie acts as an origin story for Optimus Prime and Megatron, showcasing how their friendship decays into rivalry three billion years before the familiar tales begin.

This is Hemsworth’s first experience in animation, and he shared the challenges it posed. Unlike live-action films where actors interact organically, animation requires a different synchronization to make the individual performances connect.

Henry added that the film’s narrative around lost friendships is relatable, defining it as one of life’s significant heartaches. After their panel discussion, Hemsworth lingered a bit longer, eagerly engaging with fans seeking autographs and photos.

The audience was treated to three fun clips from the film, which is scheduled to hit theaters on September 20. Alongside the clips, new posters and a trailer were also unveiled, exciting fans even more.

Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura pointed out the advantages of animation for storytelling, citing the challenges of doing it in live-action. He noted that depicting robots in a live-action film can be much more expensive.

The first clip featured an Olympic race on Cybertron, showcasing the daily life on the planet. It highlighted Orion Pax’s desire to participate, while D-16 felt differently due to their pact as miners.

During the panel, Key also entertained the audience by singing parts of the Transformers theme song, prompting some fans to join in.

Although Scarlett Johansson was absent from the panel, busy filming another project, the excitement generated by the star-studded team and their animated creations was palpable.