Star Wars Meets The Spider-Verse As '80s Classic Returns To The Big Screen With Unexpected Cliffhanger

Published Sep 25, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero. With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention. Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise. The theatrical return of Transformers: The Movie for its 40th anniversary also came with a brand-new short, one that truly feels like a wild mix of Star Wars meets Spider-Verse. It's also just a perfect tribute to the late Peter Cullen. For just over four decades, Optimus Prime has been one of the most recognizable sci-fi characters of all time, an icon of 80s animation who is still just as iconic today. While others have helped bring Optimus Prime to life over the years, Peter Cullen is the original and most definitive voice of the Autobot leader across generations of Transformers stories. Naturally, that impressive legacy is a big reason why the new short Optimus Prime: Awakening is so fascinating, starring Cullen in his final performance as Optimus (and Frank Welker as Megatron). Not only does it serve as a great final send-off for the late actor, but there is also some intriguing setup for the future that's worth exploring as well. ​​​​​​ Optimus Prime: Awakening Is The Perfect Final Tribute For Peter Cullen Without a doubt, the new Optimus Prime: Awakening short works beautifully as a tribute to Peter Cullen, touching upon the full breadth of his work as Optimus and the different versions of the Autobot leader over the years. Full of great action, the short is also uniquely reflective on everything Prime has fought for in the Transformers franchise, and there's a fair amount to unpack in the 12-minute short. Taking place shortly after his death in Transformers: The Movie, Optimus Prime experiences a crucial vision/dream sequence that very much evokes Star Wars' World Between Worlds. Surrounded by the cosmos, Optimus encounters a mysterious presence calling itself "What Is When All Are One." This presence tries to convince Prime that the cycle of war between the Autobots and Decepticons must be broken. According to "The One", Optimus is risking the end of everything in his determination to defeat Megatron and protect Earth, Cybertron, and the Matrix of Leadership as he always has. It's an unending war, one that has been fought in countless ways as we then see variants of Optimus Prime from the original 80s series, Transformers Animated, Transformers: Prime, and even footage of Optimus Prime from the first live-action movie directed by Michael Bay, effectively giving the Autobot leader his very own Spider-Verse-esque sequence as he witnesses himself across a vast multiverse of Transformers realities. While Optimus wishes to keep on fighting, "The One" reveals greater stakes beyond the conflict every version of Prime has always found themselves in. As a result, Optimus Prime: Awakening is very much a full celebration of the character's legacy, as well as Peter Cullen himself, who has voiced so many different versions of the character over the last four decades. And yet, the new Transformers short doesn't stop there in terms of everything it has to offer. Does the New Optimus Prime Short Set Up A Future Series With That Cliffhanger? As great as the tribute aspects are for Optimus Prime/Peter Cullen, the new Transformers short doesn't end like a traditional farewell in the slightest. Near the end of Optimus Prime's vision, we see him trying to protect Bumblebee from Megatron, eventually having the Decepticon leader dead to rights with his axe at Megatron's throat. However, Optimus then has his epiphany that this is the moment to break the cycle of unending conflict and war. Sparing his greatest enemy, Awakening ends with a shocking twist as Optimus leaves Megatron and Bumblebee after discarding the Matrix of Leadership itself, claiming that he's going to light "their darkest hour." It's an incredibly cryptic ending, especially with Megatron later recovering the Matrix itself in the last shot of the new short. Throw in "The One's" warning of the future where Bumblebee becomes a Decepticon himself, it certainly feels like Optimus Prime: Awakening is setting up something bigger for the future, though nothing has been officially confirmed just yet. Nevertheless, there's been plenty of conversation, debate, and speculation online about what might be next for the Transformers franchise in the wake of this new short. After all, Optimus' absence and apparent new mission, combined with Megatron getting his hands on the Matrix, feels like an obvious opportunity begging for key follow-up. Overall, Awakening feels deliberately unfinished. One Transformers Project NEEDS To Follow Awakening's Lead Even if Optimus Prime: Awakening never receives a direct continuation for some reason, another Transformers project should absolutely take note of what the short has accomplished on an impressive visual level. After all, it was recently confirmed earlier in 2026 that Robert Kirkman and Skybound Entertainment are developing an animated Transformers series based on their ongoing Energon Universe comics, featuring an interconnected universe that includes the Transformers, G.I. Joe, Void Rivals, and M.A.S.K. Keeping that in mind, Optimus Prime: Awakening feels like a pretty exciting example/proof of concept of what a new animated Transformers project could and should look like. Optimus Prime: Awakening's animation from The Third Floor animation studio is incredibly impressive, particularly during its action sequences, which saw Optimus battling the likes of Megatron, Soundwave, Starscream, Kickback, Shrapnel, and the aforementioned Bumblebee as a Decepticon, complete with a fusion cannon just like Megatron's (not to mention the ability to combine with the rest of the Decepticons as "King Bee"). Across the board, Awakening's animation feels incredibly vibrant, modern, and cinematic while also keeping to the classic 80s designs. Seeing as how the Energon Universe comics have also maintained the G1 styles, it's not hard to see the appeal. At any rate, it would be awesome to perhaps see more Transformers projects from The Third Floor in the future. Whether or not Awakening's cliffhanger gets resolved, the new Transformers short gave Peter Cullen's Optimus Prime a fitting final showcase, celebrating the many versions of the character he helped bring to life, while also teasing new stories that the Transformers franchise can still tell going forward. On the whole, it's a great example of where Transformers animation could go next as the franchise looks ahead to the next 40 years. Release Date August 8, 1986 Runtime 84 minutes Director Nelson Shin Writers Ron Friedman Producers Joe Bacal, Lee Gunther, Margaret Loesch, Tom Griffin Cast Norman Alden Hot Rod / Rodimus Prime (voice) Jack Angel Optimus Prime / Ironhide (voice)