Hasbro unveils 'Optimus Prime: Awakening' as final tribute to late voice actor Peter Cullen
Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment have released a new 12-minute animated short, 'Optimus Prime: Awakening,' to accompany the 40th-anniversary theatrical re-release of 'The Transformers: The Movie.' The film serves as a final performance for the late voice actor Peter Cullen, who died at 85 in August 2026. Directed by Josh Wassung and featuring Frank Welker as Megatron, the short is described by the studio as a 'love letter' to the franchise and its fans. The 4K re-release of the 1986 film is currently screening in select international markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany, with the new short included in all Fathom Entertainment screenings.