This is a very interesting topic. It's something I never really thought about.

Galvatron was just such a different character in comparison to Megatron. But its explicit, Galvy is reformatted Megs.

I like the evidence you guys presented because it makes me look at old story in a new way. Even the Optimus quote makes so much sense.

I can't think of other examples of TF characters taking on new identities in a similar fashion to Megs/Galvy but I think its an interesting element to this mythos. You can have characters reformatted or rebuilt and for whatever reason, they take on a new identity. Memories of the old identity could play into new developments and storylines. It would have been interesting for Galvy to have had flashbacks/nightmares of his time as Megs or even the trauma of getting reformatted.

 

It's rare, but I think you could count Goldbug and Victory Leo.

 

The only canon is the original movie as broadcast in the theatres, plus the original US G1 broadcasts for Seasons 3 & 4, & 5 (Powermaster O.P. puppet  )

Since none of these sources ever clarified this issue, it is TOTALLY fan speculation. Original storyboards & script notes, or new IDW comic or statement from Hasbro 30 years later means absolutely squat.
None of these are the official canon.

Besides, the other day Cyclonus told me he was Skywarp so I know the truth.  

Orion Pax into Optimus Prime.  

 

I used to wonder how would Optimus know that, but I'm guessing his conscieousness was aware while being part of the matrix carried by Rodimus.

 

Deadend's line comes up when Cyclonus asks the Decepticons to give Energon so he can reactivate Galvatron. I believe Motormaster says if they give their Energon they're doomed, and if they don't give they're doomed. Deadend responds, "Face it. We're doomed."

 

This is what I figured as well.

No no, Motormaster was the 1st to contribute!
The exchange went like this, (from memory)

DeadEnd: If we surrender our energon, we're doomed.
Breakdown: If we don't we're doomed too!
DeadEnd: Face it, we're doomed.
Motormaster: What kind of an attitude is that?! Here's MY contribution! (then faints)

 

The problem with that is why would Optimus need an explanation of recent events despite Rodimus having been aware of all of those events.

 

It's just another error. RoOP was one massive continuity error, even if the Hate Plague concept was cool.

 

Yes they knew. Galavatron's personality diverged greatly due to his brain damage/madness though.

 

That's it. I haven't seen it for a while and I can't get myself to sit through it again  

 

I thought Optimus knew because of his face and voice.

 

Just like Megatron, Galvatron was voiced by Frank Welker. And Prime knew this.  

I can't wait to meet him at TFcon!!  

 

I tend to think of Cyclonus aand Sourge as mashups of the fallen decepticons, possibly with some residual memories, but the combinations of fallen Decepticons has given rise to new and unique individuals. Even Galvatron is a bit different from Megatron. He's less patient, and more prone to stick out even a losing battle, and of course a lot more brutal in his control over the decepticons.

Seems to me that Cyclonus may have more seeker in him, while Scourge is more insecticon, giving rise to their very different degrees of loyalty.

 

Because Optimus is wise and did read the TV magazine  

 

"hard canonical evidence"?

i would say yes, as was pointed out earlier bin the topic by flamepanther...

imo, that line is "hard canonical evidence"

 

@Flamephanter, I think Unicron wasn't literal.

 

Aleeta-1 also. Also didn't smokescreen in armada change into a new autobot?

 

Surely the "new troops to command" was a figure of speech, yes? See also "I feel like a new man", "The Dolphins were a different team in the fourth quarter" and "wake up to the new you".

I mean, if you're going to take every line in the movie literally then you might also presume that Unicron's "destiny" cannot be destroyed (it was), that "Cybertron and all its moons belong to me" (they don't), that "I accept your terms" (he didn't), and that "the point is, he's dead and the Matrix died with him" (uh, nope). Hell, even "one shall stand one shall fall" was wrong (they both fell).

What he said!

 

Quite possibly not. I'm saying that a literal reading allows an interpretation of Cyclonus and Scourge's nature and origin that aligns with their later treatment in the cartoon and with some of their character bios. I'm not saying it was necessarily intended that way.

 

Good point about Elita-1.
Armada isn't G1 cartoon, plus he mainly got a name change to Hoist along with his new body. I think his personality remained the same.

Even if it wasn't, what does "new" mean?
Galvatron was definitely a new character, but we all know he was Megatron.
Cyclonus & Scourge being "new" doesn't disqualify them from having been Skywarp & Thundercracker before.

But I must confess, the fact that Unicron distincted Megatron as getting a "new body" is a compelling argument.

Then again, the great drama of that scene (before everyone's ascension) was the dialogue exchange between Megs & Unicron.
Not specifying "New bodies for your troops, too!" may well have been to keep the focus on these 2 galactic rivals.