Peter Cullen’s final original voice performance as Optimus Prime appears in a new 12-minute animated short titled Optimus Prime: Awakening. The short will screen after select showings of The Transformers: The Movie 40th anniversary 4K theatrical run from September 17 to 22, 2026 [1, 2, 3].
Cullen, the iconic voice of Optimus Prime, died in late August 2026. Sources differ on his age at death, with some reporting 85 years old and others 80 [1, 2, 3]. The short is described as a “love letter to the Transformers community and the late Peter Cullen,” combining emotional storytelling with dynamic action sequences [1, 2, 3]. The animation was produced by The Third Floor studio [1].
Frank Welker, returning to voice Megatron and Soundwave in the short, praised Cullen’s portrayal and their friendship. Welker said, “Optimus Prime and Megatron were made for each other. … Peter’s portrayal of Prime was born of his own personal beliefs; honesty, loyalty, and always insisting on doing the right thing. … Returning as Megatron and Soundwave for one final story opposite Peter’s Optimus in Optimus Prime: Awakening was a real gift. I will miss my friend, but that voice and his heart and values will always be part of Optimus Prime.” [1, 2, 3]
In addition to the theatrical screenings, a 40th Anniversary Limited-Edition steelbook of The Transformers: The Movie will be available for pre-order and released on November 17 in 4K UHD and Blu-ray [2].
