Chris Hemsworth on Optimus Prime

In the upcoming animated film 'Transformers One', Chris Hemsworth voices a youthful version of Optimus Prime, known as Orion Pax, presenting a character that is cocky, hopeful, and flawed, diverging from Peter Cullen's iconic portrayal. Hemsworth emphasized that his goal was not to mimic Cullen but to explore a more brash and humorous iteration of the character, especially given the film's setting three billion years before the established Transformers lore. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura explained that Hemsworth's youthful exuberance was essential for the role, as Cullen was deemed 'too old' for this version. The film, directed by Josh Cooley, aims to capture the nostalgia of childhood play while delving into the rich backstory of the rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron. Alongside Hemsworth, the voice cast includes Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron, Scarlett Johansson as Elita, and Keegan-Michael Key as Bumblebee. 'Transformers One' is set to hit theaters on September 20, 2024.