Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Transformers One
Transformers One is now in theaters, and its title has more than one meaning and connection. Showcasing the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron before they became major leaders of rival factions, the animated Transformers One features an impressive story, one that sets up the typical narrative in the greater Transformers franchise and the war between the Autobots and Decepticons. To that end, the new movie’s title goes beyond its status as a prequel.
Coming from director Josh Cooley, Transformers One stars Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax/Optimus Prime, Brian Tyree Henry as D-16/Megatron, Scarlett Johansson as Elita-1, and Keegan-Michael Key as B-127/Bumblebee. Revealing the origins of Optimus and Megatron back when they were once brothers on Cybertron, Transformers One exists on a new timeline that still shows battle lines being drawn between the Autobots and the Decepticons. To that end, here’s what Transformers One’s title means and its connections explained.
Transformers One’s Title Refers To The Optimus & Megatron Origin Story Setting
A Prequel For The Typical Transformers Stories
The most straightforward meaning behind Transformers One’s title is its status as a prequel film. Set long before the events seen in the original cartoons and even in the live-action Transformers movies, Transformers One has its name because it depicts a fresh take on one of the very first stories in the Transformers lore (and its multiple continuities). As such, “One” in the title is more than logical.
Before Cybertron’s fall, Orion Pax and D-16 were brothers, working as Energon miners before they were both thrust into far greater destinies. However, those destinies put them on opposite sides of a major new conflict on the planet, one defined by their opposing and respective leadership of the Autobots who fight for freedom and autonomy and the Decepticons, those who swore never to be deceived by false leaders again by ensuring their own vengeful rule. To that end, the story of Transformers One is the first story that puts everything else into motion.
Transformers One’s Title Connects To Optimus Prime’s Hope
“Together As One”
The Transformers One title is also connected to Orion Pax’s hope and belief in Cybertron’s restoration. Wanting to bring its people “together as one”, Orion is desperate to prove himself to his fellow Transformers, while also refusing to give up his search for the Matrix of Leadership that can restart the flow of energon across the planet. That way, all the bots without transformation cogs wouldn’t have to spend the rest of their lives mining for energon remnants.
As the movie progresses, the truth is revealed that Cyberton’s leader Sentinel Prime had deceived the entire planet. Years (or cycles) prior, Sentinel secretly killed the Elder Primes after allying himself with the Quintesson invaders. Without the Matrix of Leadership, Sentinel subsequently removed cogs from certain bots prior to their activation, forming an unequal hierarchy where those who couldn’t transform were sent to mine energon (which he would then secretly use to pay off the Quintessons).
Upon learning this dark truth, Orion’s entire objective was to liberate Cyberton so that its bots could all live and transform as free bots, “together as one”. As such, that motivation was a core reason why he eventually became Optimus Prime and was given the Matrix of Leadership by Primus and the spirits of the Elder Primes. Conversely, Sentinel’s betrayal is what leads to D-16’s corruption as Megatron, seeking vengeance and vowing that the only one he could trust to lead Cyberton was himself.
Transformers One’s Title Borrows From A Famous Autobot Saying
“‘Til All Are One”
It can also be argued that the Transformers One title is also connected to the classic line “‘Til all are one”. A mantra first heard in 1986’s Transformers: The Movie, “‘Till all are one” was first uttered by Optimus Prime just before his death. Since then, the phrase has become a battle cry for the Autobots in multiple Transformers projects and continuities.
Not only does the line refer to the end of the Great War, but it’s also the recurring hope for the day when all Cybertronians are unified once more and leave their previous factions behind. “‘Til all are one” has also been referenced as the day when all bots become one and rejoin the Allspark of Primus. At any rate, it’s more than likely that this classic line from the franchise had at least some influence on the Transformers One title as well.
Transformers One is now playing in theaters.