10 Differences Between Transformers One and the Live Action Movies

The following contains spoilers for Transformers One, currently playing in theatersTransformers one Does a lot of different things with the lore of the Transformers series like the live-action Michael Bay films. Transformers has had a consistent presence in pop culture since their introduction forty years ago. The live-action series that began in 2007 helped promote them like never before, leading to several major blockbusters telling an interconnected story of the Autobots and Decepticons. Normally, the animated Transformers one Fits into that timeline and serves as a prequel to the films.

However, the new film makes some clear changes to the way the universe works in the older movies, suggesting a much different universe and story at play. Some of the changes are central to the letters of Transformers oneChanging the importance of some figures while tweaking the backstories of others. Other changes are much more encompassing, impacting the overall lore of the series and introducing fresh elements to the story. Here are the biggest changes between Transformers one And Transformers.

10

Optimus Prime’s Origin Story has been changed

Orion Pax’s backstory was changed from scientist to minor

Transformers one and Michael at S Transformers films Make a lot of changes to the lore of the seriesNotably including the origins of Optimus Prime. While Optimus’ full origins in the live-fight Transformers This universe is not the focus of any films, it has been explored further in comics and through references in the movies. In this universe, Optimus is established as a former scientist who took command due to his connection to the Dynasty of Prime.

The younger Orion packs of Transformers one Is a lot more grounded and straight-forward characters, lacking the genuine scientific backstory. Instead, Orion was established as one of countless minor robots tasked with recovering energon. Orion is notably not a particularly intelligent or scientific worker, instead harboring hopes for a more free future. This approach highlights the optimism and idealism at the heart of the character and his mission.

9

The Quintessons play a larger role

The Quintessons aren’t really in the live-action Transformers Movies

The Quintessons are an ancient alien rival of the Cybertronians, and One of the overarching enemies of Transformers one. The deadly alien race are the alien threat that Sentiel betrayed the Prime to, allying with them by providing energon for their ships. Although the Quintessons appeared in other previous versions of TransformersThey are a far more important and overarching danger posed to Optimus Prime and his Autobots. The end of Transformers one Even set up further conflicts against their forces.

In contrast, the Quintessons don’t really factor into the Michael Bay Transformers. Their race were never formally introduced, and are represented in Transformers: The Last Knight With Quintessa. Sharing some physical traits with the species and a name with the race’s home planet in other media, Quintessa is introduced as a renegade creator behind the origins of the Cybertronians. Ultimately, the quintessences are not a factor in the live-fight Transformers films.

8

Elita-1 gets a proper role

The New Elita-1 is more important than its live-action counterpart

Transformers oneElita-1’s is one of the most important supporting characters in the filmServed as Orion and D-16’s host in the Energon Mines before being dragged on their adventure to the surface. While there, she and Orion cement their friendship, working together to expose Sentinel and eventually becoming founding members of the Autobots. This is reflective of her importance in previous iterations of Transformers Like the original animated series, which cast Elita-1 as a love interest to Optimus.

It’s also very different from her much more minor role in the Michael Bay Transformers films. Elita-1 appeared alongside her sisters Arcee and Chromia in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as minor members of the Autobots. She helped fight Sideways early in the film before taking on Park in the film’s final battle. however, Elita-1 was unceremoniously killed during the conflict. Given her history with Orion Pax in Transformers oneSuch a sudden death for the new version of the character would likely be much more central to the storyline.

7

Bumblebee is not a peer of Best and Megatron

Bumblebee was a far earlier ally to the Autobots in Transformers one

In the Michael Bay Transformers films, Bumblebee was portrayed as a young but skilled soldier during the Cybertron Wars. This was how he gained the admiration of Optimus Prime and became a consistent presence in the Autobots. However, the bumblebee of Transformers one Is introduced as more of a peer of Orion and D-16 as an eventual ally. In the history of the Michael Bay movies, Optimus and Megatron’s feud stretches further back than the war that eventually overtook Cybertron, with B-127 serving as a scout who could venture across the universe.

In contrast, the B-127 of Transformers one Becomes a friend and companion to both Orion and D-16 During their quest to uncover the truth behind Alpha Trion’s distress signal. As a result, Bumblebee seems to have a much closer relationship with Megatron than he has in most other continuos, actively trying to snap his friend back to reason as he goes on his rampage in the film’s climax. The bond is an interesting tweak to the way Bumblebee has been portrayed in previous iterations of the franchise.

6

Starscream becomes part of the High Guard

A more tragic starscream appears in Transformers one

In almost every version of TransformersStarscream is a crippled and borderline traitor shamer who seeks to take command of Megatron’s Decepticons. This carried over to the Michael Bay films, which added several layers to the character by having him actually take command of the faction when Megatron was incapacitated. however, He still ultimately comes across as the same power-hungry Starscream. That’s not the case with Transformers oneWhich reinvents Starscream with a much more tragic backstory than the former leader of the High Guard.

In this animated sequel, Starscream and his allies were fiercely loyal to the PrimeRefused to bend the knee to Sentinel after his betrayal. This resulted in them spending fifty cycles on the surface, fighting enemies and trying to survive both Sentinel’s patrols and the Quintessons. Starscream is practically broken mentally, daring Megatron to kill him during their fight and only allying with those he deems strong enough to bring down Sentinel. It is a much more ethically driven version of the character than often seen before.

5

The matrix of leadership looks and works very differently

The Matrix does different things and looks different in both movies

The matrix of leadership is a vital artifact In most versions of TransformersOften taken by important figures in the franchise. Both Transformers one And the life-struggle Transformers Use the matrix of leadership and relate it to the creation of Energon, but in very different ways. In the live-action movies, the Matrix of Leadership is effectively a key that allows the user to activate a star harvester that can create massive amounts of energon. This is central to the plot of Transformers: Revenge of the FallenWith the fallen seek the matrix so he can destroy the earth’s sun.

in Transformers one, The matrix of leadership has a much more important role As a legendary artifact directly tied to the power of the Pious Primus. The matrix was the source of the usual flowing energon of Cybertron, and its lack resulted in the medium being suddenly cut off. This is because the matrix in the animated film will only be taken by someone who is worth it. This is why it disappeared when Sentinel tried to claim it, and why naturally flowing energon returned after a nearly killed Orion was given the Matrix when he rose to Prime status.

4

Megatronus Prime died a hero

Most versions of Megatronus became a villain

D-16’s evolution into Megatron has something to do with the fallen Megatronus Prime in most continuities, including Transformers one and the Michael Bay films. However, they play very differently in the two versions. in Transformers one, Megatronus Prime was a hero to D-16And the discovery that he was one of the premiums killed by Sentinel’s betrayal is a major motivation for him to attack the false leader. In flashbacks, it is revealed that Megatronus Prime died in combat, but went down fighting alongside his fellow Prime.

It’s a far cry from his fate in many other iterations, including the Michael Bay one Transformers Universe. In the continuity, Megatronus Prime’s fears for Cybertron’s future pushed him to embrace a far dark path, corrupting several Cybertronians into his growing army, including the robot that would eventually become Megatron. In this sequel, Megatronus Prime became known as the Fallen And was the true founder of the Decepticons, making him one of the overarching villains of the entire franchise. As a result, he did not die until the 21st century on earth.

3

Megatron is not corrupted by the fallen

Megatron’s dark turn is much more tragic in this Transformers one

Notably, the difference between Megatronus Prime in both versions underscores how personal Megatron’s dark turn comes. In the Michael Bay Transformers films, Megatronus became the Fallen and eventually found a connection with a young Megatron while he was still only a military commander on Cybertron. Fueling Megatron’s anger and ambition as an advisorThe Fallen is able to eventually push the younger robot to become the new leader of the Decepticons. Both characters are much more villainous in this picture.

rather, Megatronus Prime’s impact on D-16 in Transformers one A much more tragic and emotional turn. The discovery that his hero has been betrayed and murdered is a flash point for D-16, who was previously a loyal cog in Sentinel Prime’s machinations. Taking on Megatron and exposing Sentinel’s lies is the initial motivation behind D-16’s intentions to rebel against Sentinel, and it’s his own growing rage that pushes him to avoid himself and fully become the villain Megatron of his own volition. Still, Megatornus played a key (if much more subtle) role in that evolution.

2

Megatron kills Sentinel Prime instead of Best

Sentinel Prime is killed differently in both versions

in both Transformers one and the Michael Bay Transformers films, Sentinel is a trusted leader who ends up betraying other Cybertronians for his own ambitions. However, the exact circumstances are vastly different between the two cinematic versions of the character. Played by Leonard Nemoy in the Michael Bay films, Sentinel was the first mentor and confidant of Optimus, and was raised in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. However, Sentinel’s willingness to sacrifice Earth to rebirth Cybertron pushed Optimus and the Autobots to ally with humanity against him. At the end of the film, an enraged Optimus killed Sentinel.

The Sentinel of Transformers one passes through a similar wide arcBetrayed the heroes and finally sent out. However, he was a much more successful and sneaky character, betraying Prime to the Quintessons and taking over Cyberthorn as the alien invader’s king. In the new film, it’s D-16 who takes the betrayal much more personally than his best friend Orion. When D-16 eventually embraces his future as Megatron, he is the one to confront and ultimately kill Sentinel.

1

The Prime works differently in both versions

How Optimus earned his Prime status differs between movie versions of Optimus Prime

The Primes are a designation in the Transformers universe that indicate a powerful and authoritative role. However, the exact way Prime works is different between Michael Bay Transformers universe and in Transformers one. In the latter, the Primes are creations of Primus, designed to protect the Matrix of Leadership and Cybertron as a whole. The prime title has effectively become synonymous with leadershipWith the role becoming more of a title than anything in the fifty cycles since their death at the hands of Sentinel and the Quintessons. This plays into the motivations of the 16th to bring down the entire order.

In contrast, the Michael Bay films used this concept to create The Dynasty of Primes. Effectively serving as royalty for Cybertron, this iteration of the Prime title appears to be much more hereditary, with the line passing down to descendants. This comes into play during Transformers: Revenge of the FallenWhen the Fallen tricks Megatron into believing the power of the Primes could be passed on to him. The sort of changes highlight how Transformers one is much more focused on his own version of the story.