I think Hot Rod will stay Hot Rod. If anything, Bumblebee's now the Autobot leader due to popularity and he will be the one in conflict with Optimus.
If Hot Rod is a Prime, I don't think he will take the matrix in the movie. I think it would be more like he has the mark of Prime on him like Optimus, and they know he is a Prime or will be some day, but I don't think he would bear the matrix any point in this or future movies.
I think I know who the voice actor of Hot Rod might be. Now let me say I know how unrealible a source IMDB can be, but this is just a guess and not a confirmed information! So according to Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) - IMDb actor Jean Dujardin is rumored to be in the movie but it isn't clarified in what role exactly. It was confirmed that Hot Rod will be having a french accent and since Jean is a french actor my guess is that probably he is voicing Hot Rod, which I think makes sense, again it's only my guess without any evidence at all behind it, pure speculation, so what'ya think? Is it possible?
It's never gonna happen guys remember each character needs to develop first before doing everything look at optimus prime and bumblebee for example for hound crosshairs and drift
It seems the rumour comes from an article by TheWrap, they reported that Bay was eyeing up Isabela, Jean, Jerrod, and Stephen Merchant for roles in TLK. Well two of those turned out correct, maybe Jerrod and Mechant haven't been announced yet because they're doing Voice work! Man i hope Steve Merchant is in it, he could be Wreck Gar!
Yes, every newly appointed Prime can choose in the cybertronian truck dealership his new ride. One of the benefits of being leader.
As much as I'd like Hot Rod to get that kind of character development, I think it's highly likely that he will just be another addition to the Autobot team. Same as every other new Autobot.
Well according to the Collider set reports, Hot Rod is to have a huge role in the movie of some kind.
With the direction Hasbro seems to be going with Bumblebee, I don't even get why Hot Rod's going to be in the movie.
It would be nice as Rodimus has always been my favourite Prime but to be honest the movies are their own thing anyway. Just wish Hot Rods head was closer to his G1 self than Bumblebee