I can't go into detail for contractual reasons but I will say the following:

I've been a professional voice actor since 2009. I've booked 3,000+ jobs. I fill in for actors like Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Denzel Washington, Seth Rogen and hundreds of others all the time (and well enough that no one even notices). I've done characters on a dozen or so video games like XCOM and Dishonored 2 (11/11) and now I'm the voice of my favorite hero and the character whose voice actor inspired me as a 5 year old boy to pursue this career. I don't know what went on behind the curtain that landed me the role but my clients are happy and that's all I care about when doing this job - making my clients happy. I have a family to provide for and this career is doing that.

I understand TF fans are the most internetish fans there are by which I mean they hate change. I get that. The original cast of characters are icons. They're my heroes too. I still look up to them. The humans behind the cartoons are inspirational to me and I'm honored to personally know quite a few of them. I love the original cast just as much as everyone else. I'm proud to be an official part of the franchise that's meant so much to me for 32 years and a big part of why I'm even working my dream job of being a voice actor.

 

Never knew you were a member here! I find it extremely sad that you feel the need to justify your current role on the Combiner Wars Machinima show. People may not always like what they see because of attachment/familiarity with another icon, but so long as you can continue to enjoy what you do and be able to make a living off of it is what matters. Characters like Optimus Prime are hard to properly represent without the people that make them like Peter Cullen, and I think you're immensely brave for rising to such a responsibility.

If anything, I feel more comfortable knowing that Optimus Prime is being portrayed by an identity that has a respect/understanding/bond with the character and understands the gravity of preserving his integrity.

 

It's cool to see a fellow fan get to do something like that. Best wishes!

 

Wow. Congrats on making it as Optimus Prime. That's not an easy role to portray; I can do a variety of voices, but that's one I can't replicate. Good luck!

 

Jon you are one of my heroes, it's sad that you must make this thread. Know that many stand by you and that the haters know nothing

 

Thanks! It comes with the territory. Fans hate change. That's the biggest part of it. Some have completely ridiculous reasons why they hate it but I'm honored to have an official hate thread just for lil' ol' me here on TFW. The negativity here is one reason why I stopped frequenting these boards but I thought it would be fun to let the haters know I read what they're saying.  

 

I certainly did my best and what was asked of me.

 

It's honestly not a 100% imitation. It's a variation of the character that's meant to feel familiar while also being new and different.

 

Thank you!

 

listening to voice work is one of my favorite things about animation.

 

I'm happy for you! Ignore the haiters! The Internet is full of babies. I remember when you were trying to get into the business and posted vids and stuff so we could listen. I was also very happy for you, when I first heard you in the honest trailers and thought "Woah, that's Jon3pnt0!"   Go on, do your thing! I'm with you!

btw.: Did you also say "Previously on AMC's the WALKING DEAD"? I thought you might have?

 

Congratulations Jon!

It was not surprising or shocking to me to hear that you would be voicing Prime for Combiner Wars. I've watched more than a few of your videos and your voice work definitely has the gravitas needed for the role!

Peter Cullen will eventually retire from the role, and (trying not to sound like an arse) and I can't think of anyone better suited to take over when that fateful day arrives.

Can't wait to watch the series.

 

Thanks, bro.   Haters gonna hate. They didn't hire them for an official cartoon!   I get confused with the AMC guy all the time but I'm not him. I can sound like him but I'm not him.

 

Yes, I hate change. Transformers is G1 to me. Everything else... Well, I am not too fond of it really. Had to go on YouTube to check out Combiner Wars. Not bad from what I have seen. But I primarily went on YouTube to check out your work as Optimus Prime and I must say that I am well impressed! Congratulations on getting this marvelous job!

 

That would break my heart, honestly. He's always been my biggest hero and inspiration in this business. I heard once from a fellow fan that he was concerned I was after his job but had that been the case I would never had agreed to it. I've been asked to audition for characters voiced by John DiMaggio, Steve Blum and others and I always go straight to them and let them know what's going on. I do my best to watch other voice actors' backs not try to steal work from them.

 

Haha! Thank you.

 

I think it'll break everyone's heart when he finally retires! And I doubt anyone thinks you try to steal work from other actors, they can't say yes to every job!

 

Don't engage with negative folks or "haters". You don't need to put up with that. Also, try to keep in mind that not everyone who has a differing opinion, or has their own preferences, is necessarily a "hater".

Despite not really being interested in the Machinima Combiner Wars show, I still think its awesome that you got the role of the Big O himself, congratulations.  

 

This is much more positive than the last thread I was in on the subject.

I said what I wanted there but to summarize, good luck, man.

And ask some one why they're making this series after the line's already discontinued the entire cast from toy production. I can't tell if that's an extremely retroactive version of the 86 movie concept or some clever scheme by Hasbro to get more mileage out of the old molds when they suddenly get another release.

 

Jon, I've been listening to the Seibertron Twincast podcast for years, so I know it is the fulfillment of a longtime dream for you to be working on an actual Transformers animated project. So congratulations for that.

As for the fandom, we are always going to complain about everything, because that's what we do. And the best actors who've ever lived get blasted -- sometimes for a legit reason, often without a legit reason -- on a daily basis somewhere on the internet, so you're in good company.

So try your best to ignore us, and keep on pushing forward improving your craft. And remember that a lot of us, even the whiny c***s, wish you the best and are hoping for your future success.