With Transformers: Rise of the Beasts failing to hit big last year, the upcoming entry, starring Chris Hemsworth, is taking the franchise back to its roots. Considering the IP initially gained traction following the release of the 1986 animated flick, The Transformers: The Movie, Transformers One is taking a similar approach to its predecessor.
But while excitement regarding the upcoming animated release was high, it’s even higher now, thanks to Paramount launching the first trailer 125000 feet above the Earth.
Paramount Took Transformers One’s Trailer Debut to New Heights
Instead of giving Transformers One‘s first trailer a normal release, Paramount took it out of this world. On Paramount Picture’s YouTube channel, the trailer’s hour-long journey to space in a weather balloon was streamed, which was unveiled at 125,000 feet above Earth.
During its launch to space, Brian Tyree Henry, who will voice Megatron in the film, can be heard saying “We’re really the first movie trailer to be shot up into space?” to which Hemsworth responds: “Yeah, the very first one.”
With the film’s trailer debut being out of this world, fans’ expectations are higher than ever, as the sky seems no longer the limit for the beloved IP.
Chris Hemsworth Has Some Big Shoes to Fill as Optimus Prime
It’s evident that Paramount is hellbent on breathing new life into the IP with the upcoming animated release, as without Michael Bay, the franchise hasn’t hit the same numbers as before. So, it’s evident why the studio is banking on major A-listers, including Chris Hemsworth, Laurence Fishburne, and Scarlett Johansson, to reignite the IP.
Moreover, Hemsworth has some huge shoes to fill, as he will be replacing the iconic Peter Cullen to voice a young Optimus Prime, who Cullen has voiced in every medium since its inception. While some eyebrows were raised following this huge change, it’s safe to assume Cullen himself might’ve passed the torch to the MCU star. Considering Transformers producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, previously stressed that Cullen can continue playing Prime as long he wishes to, Hemsworth probably has Cullen’s blessing by his side.
Bonaventura said (via Comicbook.com):
“Peter Cullen brought this character to life with his amazing voice back in 1984… There’s, there’s no discussion without him really, you know, unless he didn’t want it. That would be the only way he would not be in here,”
With the high-flying trailer succeeding in getting fans hooked, we might be in a new era of the Transformers franchise.
Transformers One is slated for a release on 20 September 2024.