The Ending Of Transformers One Explained

As a lifelong Transformers fan who grew up watching the animated series and collecting the toys, I must say that the future of this franchise looks incredibly promising with the two distinct storylines unfolding. If “Transformers One” manages to garner enough success at the box office and in toy sales, we might just witness a trilogy that delves deeper into the conflict between Optimus Prime and Megatron – a tale that has captivated millions of fans for decades.

Contains spoilers for “Transformers One”

Over time, it’s hard to dispute the immense success of Michael Bay’s “Transformers” series, yet even devoted fans might acknowledge a consistent issue: an overemphasis on human characters, which diminishes the Transformers as main characters in their own stories. Instead, this franchise could have evolved into a grand science fiction saga, rather than typical action movies with transforming aliens as secondary elements. That’s what makes “Transformers One” such a refreshing change of pace.

This is the first animated film in the series to be released in theaters since 1986’s “The Transformers: The Movie.” Unlike previous films that offered only brief glimpses of the Transformers’ homeworld, Cybertron, this story unfolds entirely there. It takes viewers on a journey back to where these grand characters originated, showing us Optimus Prime (played by Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry), who were once friends under their former names Orion Pax and D-16, in their early lives.

In “Transformers One,” there’s a strong feeling of ironic sadness as we understand their ultimate fate – these characters are initially meant to be friends, but they eventually become bitter foes. This is the kind of epic narrative that fans have longed for in a Transformers movie. By the time the last scene rolls around, all your questions should be answered; here’s everything you need to know.

What you need to remember about the plot of Transformers One

“Transformers One” opens with Orion Pax and D-16 working as humble miners. Lacking the necessary components to transform into vehicles, they’ve been mining Energon due to the absence of the Matrix of Leadership, which previously caused it to flow naturally. Orion Pax yearns for a life beyond mining, so he convinces D-16 to enter the Iacon 5000 race, a competition typically reserved for genuine Transformers. However, their participation in the event turns out to be quite a showstopper.

Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm) is impressed with how they inspire the other miners, but Darkwing (Isaac C. Singleton Jr.), upset at them for upstaging the Transformers, sends them to Sub-Level 50. There they meet B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key), later known as Bumblebee, and discover a map that could lead them to the Matrix of Leadership. They sneak aboard a train to Cybertron’s surface along with Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson), whom Orion and D-16 used to work with in the mines.

The group learns the secret from Alpha Trion (Laurence Fishburne), who is the last of a powerful race called the Primes. However, Sentinel Prime had betrayed Alpha Trion to the Quintessons, hoping to gain control of the Matrix of Leadership for himself. But after killing the Primes, the Matrix vanished because it could only be used by someone truly deserving. Alpha Trion provides them with parts that allow transformation so they can expose Sentinel’s actions to Cybertron’s citizens. One member, D-16, is deeply hurt by Sentinel’s betrayal and becomes even more distraught when they encounter outcast soldiers led by Starscream (Steve Buscemi). Sentinel launches an attack, capturing D-16, another member B-127, and many of the outcast soldiers. Now, Orion Pax, Elita-1, and their remaining forces must return to Iacon City to overthrow Sentinel Prime.

What happened at the end of Transformers One?

In their quest to expose Sentinel Prime’s malevolent nature, Orion Pax and Elita-1 devise a plan: they aim to gather evidence hidden by Airachnid, one of Sentinel’s many-eyed guards (played by Vanessa Liguori). Simultaneously, Sentinel intensifies his hostility towards D-16 by branding him with a rough sketch of Megatronus Prime. During an unexpected encounter in Sentinel’s tower following an air battle, Orion manages to upload footage showing Sentinel submitting to the Quintessons and admitting that he had sabotaged the miners’ transformation cogs prior to their activation, thereby creating a second-class citizenry.

D-16 hasn’t finished his confrontation with Sentinel just yet, but Orion urges him to demonstrate compassion, suggesting they need to set a good example for Cybertron’s future prosperity. In an extraordinary act, Orion even takes the bullet meant for Sentinel from D-16 and, as D-16 hovers over a chasm with Orion in his grasp, he releases him, thereby metamorphosing into Megatron. Falling, Orion catches sight of the spirits of the deceased Prime leaders, and is granted the title Optimus Prime and the Matrix of Leadership. Later, when Megatron brutally kills Sentinel Prime in a highly visible execution, Optimus returns from the dead. The two ex-allies engage in combat, with numerous members of the High Guard supporting Megatron while Optimus receives aid from Elita-1 and B-127.

In simpler terms, Optimus Prime triumphs over Megatron and his followers, expelling them from Iacon City. Energon resumes its flow, giving everyone a transformation device, empowering them to choose their own paths in life. Although Megatron is not yet defeated completely, Optimus Prime remains committed to ensuring liberty and self-determination for all, leading a fresh group of Transformers – the Autobots.

Does Transformers One have a post-credits scene?

In the “Transformers” series, it’s common to find both mid- and end-credit scenes, and this is true for the first film as well. During the middle of the credits, we witness B-127 reuniting with his homemade companions crafted from scrap. He shares with them the exciting journey he embarked on, revealing that he now has blades for hands. As he demonstrates his new tools, there’s a bit of an accident where he accidentally cuts two of his friends – since they are mere pieces of junk, this scene is meant to be humorous.

Towards the end of the closing sequences, there’s a significant scene hinting at upcoming installments. In this scene, Megatron is observed leading fresh troops who are yet unnamed. As they receive their markings, Megatron delivers an address stating that Sentinel has perished, and it’s their responsibility to seize control from the new authority. He declares, “His demise has spawned a new adversary… We will not be deceived by his falsehoods. We are… Decepticons!” Megatron views Optimus and his allies as no less than Sentinel Prime, providing him with a personal vendetta to confront the Autobots potentially in future episodes or sequels.

At a recent Q&A, Director Josh Cooley and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura discussed altering the positions of their two ending scenes because the more somber one originally appeared after the triumphant finale, which they felt was too soon for viewers. Di Bonaventura stated, “We wanted to give the audience a chance to enjoy themselves first.” He added, “If you can wait until the end, then you’ll know what to expect in the next film.

What the end of Transformers One means

Even before entering “Transformers: The First Movie”, many viewers would likely have a preconceived notion of how events will unfold. By the end, Optimus Prime stands at the helm of the Autobots, and from the post-credit scene, it’s clear that Megatron now commands the Decepticons to act on his orders. Throughout the entire “Transformers” universe, Megatron has demonstrated himself as the most powerful Decepticon. His slaying of Sentinel Prime makes it simple for Starscream and others to join his side. Now, there are two war-ready factions ready to clash.

In the original “Transformers” lore, an Autobot represents an autonomous robotic entity, suggesting self-governing capabilities. This name fits well with the narrative of “Transformers One,” where the miners’ autonomy was taken away when their mechanisms were removed, making them work as slaves. Megatron’s decision to call his followers Decepticons could be interpreted as a reflection of Megatron’s ongoing suspicion that Optimus Prime might deceive the Transformers, leading him to rebel.

In most cases, a formidable antagonist views themselves as the protagonist in their personal narrative. Tired of being controlled, Megatron has made himself uncontrollable. Additionally, there are other dangers lurking, such as the Quintessons who haven’t stopped demanding Energon tributes. In a potential sequel, Optimus Prime might face these two challenges, with his leadership skills put to the ultimate test.

There was a different idea for the end credits

In the film “Transformers”, many viewers found a touch of nostalgia due to its rich history. It’s not surprising that there are numerous Easter eggs scattered throughout the movie. One more could have been added, playing the famous theme song from the 1980s series during the credits. However, director Josh Cooley chose a different approach for a valid reason.

In an interview with Gizmodo, Cooley shared that initially, the theme song would automatically play at the movie’s end. But after discussing this idea with composer Brian Tyler, they felt that the nostalgia it evoked was so intense that it almost transformed the film into something else, if you catch my drift.

In “Transformers One,” Orion Pax utters a line that carries depth: “It’s time to demonstrate we are far more complex than our initial appearances suggest.” The leaderboard from the Iacon 5000 is filled with names like Mirage, Clampdown, and Slingshot, which might spark recognition in viewers. It appears that homages to the ’80s cartoon series are a recurring theme throughout each “Transformers” movie, whether they’re live-action or animated. Director Cooley and his team have shown an admirable balance between evoking emotional connections and avoiding excessive nostalgia.

The hardest part about getting the story just right

In order to set itself apart from typical live-action Transformers films, the tone of “Transformers One” needed a unique twist. Given that all other live-action Transformers movies are rated PG-13, this film was able to incorporate stronger language and more intense action scenes. Despite being rated only PG, it effectively tackles weighty themes without becoming inappropriate for younger viewers. Striking the right balance to avoid feeling overly “childish” was essential.

At the Q&A session where Looper was present, Josh Cooley shared that the initial draft of the script had a more exaggerated and playful tone. As he put it, “The early drafts were, in a way I don’t mean negatively, quite cartoonish.” He further explained that when they presented the first version, it was apparent that something wasn’t fitting right, and it didn’t have the gritty, action-packed feel of a movie like ‘Transformers’.

The end result is something that balances the best of both worlds. There are still plenty of jokes, with B-127 serving as the comic relief, but there’s still that undercurrent of darkness, especially as Orion Pax and D-16 slowly drift apart in their ideologies.

Why is Transformers One dedicated to Brian Goldner?

In many movies and TV shows, there are tributes to individuals connected to the project who have sadly passed away. If you stay until the end of the credits for “Transformers One,” you might come across a touching tribute like this one, dedicated to Brian Goldner. However, you may be wondering, who is he?

I was a devoted fan of Hasbro’s dynamic universe, and I had the pleasure of watching Brian Goldner, who previously worked with Bandai, steer the company as CEO. His contributions were pivotal in bringing Hasbro’s beloved characters to life on the silver screen. As an executive producer for the entire series of live-action “Transformers” films, as well as producing “Battleship,” “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” and “Jem and the Holograms,” he left an indelible mark on our pop culture landscape. Tragically, he passed away from prostate cancer on October 11, 2021, at the tender age of 58.

These Hasbro films credit Goldner significantly, and he’s already been honored with multiple projects in his memory. The ending of “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” pays tribute to Goldner as a dedicated creator and friend to both Autobots and humans. Similar tributes can be seen in “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” “Transformers: Earthspark,” and “The Rookie.

Is Transformers One connected to the live-action movies?

Explaining the chronology of movies directed by Michael Bay, particularly the Transformers series, can get a bit confusing for fans who might speculate if future sequels to ‘Transformers One’ could tie in with the live-action films. However, it seems reasonable to assume that such connections are unlikely to occur.

In an interview with ComicBook.com, Josh Cooley explained that while ‘Transformers One’ isn’t a direct prequel to the live-action versions, it definitely tells its own unique story. Although it may theoretically be part of the same universe, it’s positioned so far back in time that there are countless tales yet to be told about Optimus Prime and Megatron’s ongoing conflict. Lorenzo di Bonaventura shared at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 (via ScreenRant) that ‘Transformers One’ takes place a staggering 3 billion years before anything we’ve seen before in the series.

If di Bonaventura’s assumption about the time period depicted in “Transformers One” is accurate, there are numerous narratives left to explore on Cybertron without the Autobots and Decepticons needing to visit Earth. It seems likely that any potential sequels to “Transformers One” will continue as standalone stories distinct from previous installments.

What the end of Transformers One means for the franchise

The prospects for the “Transformers” movie series appear incredibly promising as we move forward, with essentially two different narratives unfolding. Whether a sequel to “Transformers One” materializes significantly hinges on its box office performance. Estimates predict it will earn anywhere from $40 million to $50 million in the U.S. during its opening weekend. If word of mouth remains positive, it may have the longevity required to generate a profit. Additionally, if toy sales are strong alongside this success, the possibility of another installment becomes even more appealing.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m super excited about Josh Cooley and Lorenzo di Bonaventura’s plans for this story. In a Q&A session, Di Bonaventura shared that once they had the idea for this friendship, they thought, “The sequel will delve deeper into these two characters, and the third movie will take us on an even greater journey.” If these sequels come to life, it seems like the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron will remain the main event.

In other realms, we haven’t yet delved into live-action aspects, but “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” has laid groundwork for a sequel and an enormous crossover by incorporating G.I. Joe into its universe. This collaboration holds immense promise, potentially leading to a Transformers/G.I. Joe film that brings human Autobots to life on screen. For now, this is merely conjecture, but it’s safe to say that cinema-goers could be treated to more Transformers appearances in the not-too-distant future.

Will the sequel be called Transformers Two?

Title “Transformers One” carries significance for several reasons. Firstly, it serves as the foundation tale of characters like Optimus Prime and Megatron, making it the initial chapter in this series. Secondly, the concept of unity, which is central to Transformers lore, is embodied in the phrase “one.” This ties into Optimus Prime’s objective of resolving conflicts and uniting all Transformers as a single, united force.

The title for a sequel could potentially pique fan curiosity, as they might initially expect it to be named “Transformers 2.” However, it’s fortunate that Lorenzo di Bonaventura dismissed this notion during the Q&A, clarifying that it won’t be called “Transformers Two.

If “Transformers One” ever gets a follow-up, it’s expected that it would come with a distinct subtitle, possibly related to its storyline and central themes. Since animated films often require considerable time for production, we have ample opportunity to speculate about the title of the next “Transformers One” movie – assuming there’s enough interest in this installment.

2024-09-19 23:30