Peter Ha; the technology editor for TIME and editor of TECHLAND, sat down for an interview with none other than Mr. Peter Cullen.
While the main focus of the interview was Transformers: War For Cybertron, Mr. Cullen expressed his view regarding the continuity of Transformers: Prime.
“Q: Is there any connection between War for Cybertron and Transformers: Prime?A: I really don’t think so. There may be but I’m not really privy to discuss the creative content at this point. We’re in a very exciting stage in development with Hasbro and the Discovery Channel’s HUB. The introduction of the series will be coming the fall.”
You can read the entire interview after the jump or by visiting Techland.com. “An interview with Peter Cullen needs no introduction. He’s the man behind the iconic voice of the leader of the Autobots that many of us grew up with in the 80s. With the recent resurgence of Transformers hysteria due to Michael Bay’s live-action adaptations, Peter Cullen has been hard at work on the films, video games and upcoming cartoon series. We recently had a chat with him about all things Transformers. I may or may not have tinkled a little in the process. It is, after all, Optimus Frakkin Prime.
How is the Optimus Prime in War for Cyberton different than other Optimus Primes?In the game it’s perhaps a little different in that he jumps around saying things that are activated by the actions of the player. There will be a consistency in his character but you won’t be able to find the same significant emotions he would have with a written script in the movies or cartoons. From what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen of the game it’s a very interesting combination to have an individual play into, let’s say a cartoon, he’s now in the cartoon with Optimus Prime and I think that’s a very special ingredient to have.
Do you have a routine to get into character?Well, not really. Generally, I just assume the character that came to me from the very beginning that’s based on my brothery Larry who was a Marine Corps captain that served in Vietnam. Larry is 13 months older and when he came home, I noticed a great difference in him. He was more composed and understanding. All his character traits that I saw in him, I applied to the breakdown of the character when I first auditioned for him, so I don’t have any problem recalling Optimus whatsoever. His basic components are courage and compassion and dignity and honor and integrity. There’s really no energy involved. I just think of my brother and read the words and then he comes out.
You’ve said in the past that you were able to improvise while shooting the movies. Were you able to do that in the game?
Somewhat. There were opportunities to perhaps change an attitude that wouldn’t be consistent with Optimus as he would be in the series or the motion picture but they were rare. The character was pretty much “spot on” as the Brits would say. Outside of a couple of changes whether he would say something or not and or according to the powers that be what could be said and what couldn’t be said in terms of verbal selections or something a little less violent. But they stuck pretty close to the original fabric of Optimus.
War for Cybertron is a completely new story and serves as the backstory for the Autobots and Decepticons. Do you read any of the comic books or have you in the past?To be perfectly honest, I stopped reading comic books at a young age. Those were Superman, Black Hawk and GI Joe. That was a long time ago. I haven’t read any of the comics. I’ve seen a lot of covers at BotCons and I’ve been curious by it and amazed by some of the illustrations.
What did you think of the story for War for Cybertron?Generally speaking, I’m always impressed by the writers that have imagined and conceived these plots and adventures. They’re brilliant people and overall they write really well, for me at least. They’ve come up with so many great one-liners that memorable and universal almost. As I said, generally speaking, I am amazed by the writers from the very get-go. There are so many sub factors and tangents with the Transformers that the imagination can take you almost anywhere you want to go in the future as they’ve done in the past. I’m always amazed and look forward to where we’re going to go now. What’s next!
Did you voice any other characters in the game?Just Optimus Prime.
Is there any connection between War for Cybertron and Transformers: Prime?I really don’t think so. There may be but I’m not really privy to discuss the creative content at this point. We’re in a very exciting stage in development with Hasbro and the Discovery Channel’s HUB. The introduction of the series will be coming the fall.
Were you at all upset with Optimus Prime’s moving lips in the movies?Hahaha. Let me tell you how I felt while they were doing it. They had a camera, while I was reading my lines, concentrated on my mouth and nothing else. If you think that wouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable then you’ve got a character of steel and concrete. After a while I would forget it was there but it was very unsettling at first. I wasn’t really quite sure why they were doing it but I suspected it. It was a little unnerving, you know, when a camera is pointed at your mouth when you’re trying to create something. When I saw the outcome, I didn’t really notice it. It didn’t draw to my attention as much as I was lead to believe it would be. It really didn’t bother me. The only thing that bothers me and to be perfectly frank, I can’t stand the movement of my lips. I think they look stupid. That’s another reason why I felt odd when they were concentrating on my lips.
How do you bring emotion to an artificial robot?To speak as a truck or as a robot, I apply just the character that’s written. I give him all the qualities and traits that his character demonstrates. I don’t think of where it’s coming from, I think of it perhaps on a more spiritual human level. I don’t worry about that, I’m just being a character. In my mind, I just realize that I am from outer space and that humans are from here, so there will be a difference in his sound or in his reactions.
In the game, you can make your own Transformer, had you not been involved with Optimus all these years, what would your Transformer change into and what powers would he have?
I may have answered this question years ago, but I’m allowed to change my mind if I want to. I love flying, so I’d want to be aerial. But I do love being a truck, so I’d like to remain an 18-wheeler. I love the sound, of course. I’ve always wanted to drive an 18-wheeler and I wouldn’t mind one of those Peterbilts with all the flames and everything else. I think it’s a cool machine. It’s awesome.”
Thanks to Techland.
Akumaxv
Is it me, or does Cullen get more awesome in every interview he does???
He may or may not know what ties into what, but I'm sure he has something in his contract that says he better not spill the beans until Hasbro does, or else. Any company that is even half competent knows to do this.
Even still, people assume Hasbro actually gives a $hit about keeping the time lines straight. Even the WFC book and game vary on some really key points, which I would have though they would keep consistent…then again, that's assuming Hasbro even cares…
I doubt they do. As long as they sell TF merchandise, that's all that matters.
bellpeppers
Try to remember that Transformers toys have already been diversified- when we saw Movie Line, Animated Line and Universe all on the shelf at once.
And also remember that if Classics / Universe didn't sell, then we wouldn't be getting Generations. No company- no matter of how appreciative of its fans- will ever be in the habbit of making product that won't sell. Well, not deliberately at least.
So I dunno where your 2% is coming from.
And we'll see diversification again at the end of the year- during the holiday shopping season- when we see Movie, Generations and Prime toys on the shelf.
Alienbot
Well Movie Optimus does look like him.
Starscream NZ
Try to remember that Transformers are a KIDS TOY BRAND. Kids don't need diversification, they need toys that change from robot to vehicle and back again. Hasbro don't care if they lose 2% of sales because some fans don't like TF rime. They're going to be happy with that 98% that are buying toys, which is kids and their parents. If movie product is their best way of getting money, that's what they're going to sell, and promote. Until the movie aesthetic, and style are unprofitable, all future TF media will have influences of this in it. Lines like Generations are exceptions to this rule and we're damned lucky to have them.
[Wing_Saber-X]
Somebody give the venerable Peter Cullen a statue for god's sake!
bellpeppers
No, it would actually be a good thing. Diversification of the brand. That way you have different groups to target instead of focusing on 1 group and risk losing others.
Fit For natalie
I think the safest answer is wait and see. And for all of you critics of the wiki, if this doesn't turn out to be the case, then it's easily fixed.
Considering the WFC Exodus novel appears to be based upon Hasbro's story bible for TF Prime (referring stuff Hasbro talked about at BotCon regarding the 13), I think it's entirely reasonable for now to say the WFC franchise is within the TF Prime continuity.
And the War for Cybertron story and game's dialogue is so vague that it could theoretically work as a new splinter for any continuity. Prime's dialogue throughout the game isn't specifically connected to anything, other than elements first introduced from Revenge of the Fallen (but not used in the film) about him being the Last Prime. It's entirely reasonable to say that with so little to go with, Peter Cullen genuienly doesn't know.
Also, I find it hard to believe that a significant Hasbro-backed (essentially) Transformers brand advertising campaign would have nothing to do with the big new television show coming out a few months later.
And that Hasbro's going to be do one new continuity… only to abandon it for ANOTHER one a few months latter is simply illogical, even by marketing standards.
Which goes back to my first point. It appears the WFC Exodus novel, with all the talk about Megatronus Prime and the other 13 Primes stuff Hasbro discussed at BotCon, is based on TF: Prime's background story bible.
The WFC video game is much more vague about its storyline, with no specific references to anything, really. So, even if Cullen had the entire story bible for the game, it's possible it doesn't say jack specific, judging by the game's storyline.
cosmos360
it's been a long time since Mr Cullen has voiced Prime for a Transformers TV series. although Prime has had good voices in the past, Peter Cullen should have been the voice for Prime in evey series.
Also, i think it's really cool that he based Prime off of his brother.
bellpeppers
I'm sure that they get the whole script… actors need context so that they know how to recite their lines.
Besides, I'm sure a few episodes are in the can as we type. However, they cannot give out details due to their NDA.
They know more than this fanbase could ever speculate.
Starscream NZ
Seems to me that Hasbro are more interested in continuity more than ever. And WfC, in a way, is wiping the slate clean. A new beginning for a new, hopefully more unified continuity.
boxerperson
That would imply that Hasbro is "in the know" about what they're doing continuity wise…something that a person could make a pretty strong argument against…lol
Scaleface
Do we know if they give him the full scripts, or just his lines from them? He may not know because they didn't tell him.
Ultimate Matt X
I think WfC is the prequel for Prime the same way it is for G1. The same goes for the Exodus book. There may be no real connections in Prime and it may not even tie into the G1 era completely, but this is now the Transformers origin story. I don't think the show or any fiction outside of the movies will contradict the game/book with their own origins.
Angelwave
LOL…so would I.
Enigma2K2
… I'd like to meet his brother, Larry.
jgoss
how can you not like the interview it's peter cullen the man
bellpeppers
Cullen reads the scripts. Please give him more credit that "reading a few lines" Not only is there a script, but I'd bet a box of donuts that there's a bible as well that he's likely has access to.
Now, an NDA might be a differnt story.
Angelwave
Why don't we just wait and see when the show comes on whether or not its related. None of us know what is going through Hasbro or the production companies minds. So let's wait.
Scaleface
He said "There may be" a connection between the two, but he didn't know. I believe him too… I believe he doesn't know if they are connected.
It's not confirming or denying the connection, and he says in his answer that he's NOT privy to the creative content. Heck, who knows how many episodes at this point he's even voiced!
If you asked Gary Chauk three or four episodes into reading the script for Beast Wars if it was connected to G1, he's probably say it wasn't connected that he could see…
General Magnus
Well he voices Prime on the two versions, so It´s safe to assume he has knowledge of the story and plot of both. So I believe him.