We've been debating on how the characters should look in the new Transformers films... however, nobody's been talking about how they should sound . As in, who should voice them?

For Ironhide, I think bring back Jess Harnell, because Bayverse Ironhide was one of the better characters whereas Ratchet could be nobody else but Jeffrey Combs, because I like the idea of "grouchy old medic with a heart of gold" Ratchet that Animated and Prime did so well.

For Jazz, whilst part of me is saying bring back Phil LaMarr, I think it'd be pretty fun if Jazz was voiced by a famous black musician - in that case, I'd probably go with Jamie Foxx or Will. I. Am (if Kanye West comes anywhere near Transformers, I'll kill the man in his bed).

For Windblade, if she turns up, go with Jing Tian or Riniko Kikuchi. Given Windblade has a heavily Asian-"coded" design, casting an Asian actress only seems appropriate. Same with Drift; his design is heavily influenced by Japanese culture, so it only seems obvious.

For Hot Rod, I'd go with Joe Keery - the guy who played Steve on Stranger Things. Given that character was heavily influenced by Judd Nelson (Hot Rod's original actor), it'd be rather fitting.

Grimlock, on the other hand, could only ever be Jason Momoa - watch Aquaman and try not to think "This guy'd be great as Grimlock". However, he'd have to be speaking normally - the "Me Grimlock" speaking style was shite. The other Dinobots… I don't know. I privately think Slug, for some reason, should be Scottish - in that case, either actually get John Rhys-Davies or someone who can sound like John Rhys-Davies.

For Megatron, whilst Welker'd be ideal, I think somebody like Ron Perlman or Stephen Lang'd be pretty good - they've both got commanding voices, which would be great for Megatron. For Starscream, I would say Jemaine Clement - watch Rio and try not to think "Starscream" whenever Nigel talks. For Skywarp, I'd go with Andrew Kishino, who voiced Janja on The Lion Guard - Skywarp needs a thuggish-sounding voice.

For Shockwave, whilst Jon Bailey or Corey Burton coming back'd be nice, I want to see what Benedict Cumberbatch or Michael Fassbender could do with the role - listen to David in Prometheus and not think "Shockwave". Or, if they're looking to emulate Sobolov's performance from TF: Prime (which was actually one of the better performances in that show), James Spader or Michael C. Hall'd be great.

 

I'd bring back Ken Watanabe for Drift and give him more to do. Your idea of Jason Momoa as Grimlock is a neat take. As for Megatron, I'd prefer Clancy Brown, but it'll probably be Frank Welker. For Windblade, I don't really care if she's voiced by an Asian voice actress, but I would love to see Rinko Kikuchi get involved with the franchise.

As to other characters, my list is as follows
1. Elita One: Cate Blanchett, or Mary Elizabeth McGlynn if you can't get Ms. Blanchett.
2. Starscream: I kind of want to give Charlie Alder another crack at it, and Steven Blum deserves another shot at it as well. The thing about Starscream is that while his character's had some rough patches and been overall unimpressive, he's had universally good voice actors (I don't know about Cyberverse, since I didn't get past the first few episodes). If we're doing someone more refined and elegant, then Keith Silverstein would work marvelously.
3. Ironhide: If we're going the G1 cowboy route, then he needs to be played by Sam Elliot.
4. Soundwave: Jeffrey Combs is who I see filling that role, but more like BTAS's Scarecrow, someone who speaks in a haunting whisper instead of going all "Soundwave Superior."

 

No question about that. Hell YES!

I think Starscream needs to be creepy and intimidating, but kind of buffoonish at the same time - that's the sort of role Jemaine Clement does very, very well (e.g. Rio, Men in Black 3). Having said that, having Blum play Starscream again would sure be nice.

Sam Elliot actually could work - his voice is all deep and strangely paternal and full of gravitas.

Yeah - Soundwave needs to be a quiet, scary character.

 

Michael Ironside as Ultra Magnus please!

 

As far as characters I think will appear in this Rebooted Universe:
Megatron: Since they've got Peter Cullen for Optimus Prime, they might as well let Frank Welker play Megatron.
Starscream: If they're going to go with any big names for the robots, I think Gary Oldman could do a good job. Something similar to Lord Shen from Kung Fu Panda 2 could fit a more menacing Starscream.
Soundwave: This is another role that I think they should give to Welker. Considering they'll most likely go with the G1-esque modified voice, they don't need to get a big name actor.
Hot Rod: Jake Johnson. After watching Spiderman Into The Spiderverse, I could hear Johnson as Hot Rod during certain scenes and I think he could pull it off.

 

Ironhide: Peter Cullen.

 

Lenore Zann or Cree Summer as Elita One

 

Bumblebee: voiced by Dylan O'Brien in the flashback scenes
Optimus Prime: Jake Tillman
Megatron: Stephen Amell

To be honest Frank Welker and Peter Cullen aren't gonna live forever that's why I figured to recast both of them

 

Yeah - classic voice actor and all. He also did a pretty scary Megatron in TF: Prime.

It sort of depends - if they want a more emotive Soundwave, they're not going to do the vocoder-thing... at least not entirely. If they're going to do the vocoder-thing totally, I'd say go with Welker - or Jon Bailey.

Yeah - I think he'd do pretty good. Part of the reason I picked Joe Keery (the guy who played Steve on Stranger Things) was, firstly because I liked how cocky, but somehow endearing and vulnerable, he made that character and, second, given that character was heavily influenced by John Bender in The Breakfast Club, who was played by Judd Nelson (Hot Rod's original actor), it'd be rather fitting.

 

Personally, I think they should stray away from Judd Nelson-esque performances (then again, I was never a big fan of Judd Nelson's Hot Rod/Rodimus, I personally felt Dick Gautier had a lot more personality and played the part better than Judd, so I feel that should be the way to go, either that or do something more unique).

 

Experienced voice actors and not celebrity stunt casting.

 

Peter Weller as Ultra Magnus.

 

Optimus Prime: Peter Cullen or Jon Bailey
Bumblebee: Johnny Yong Bosch
Windblade: Trina Nishimura (Mikasa in Attack on Titan)
Jazz: Khary Payton
Ironhide: JK Simmons
Ratchet: Fred Tatasciore
Prowl: Will Wheaton
Wheeljack: John DiMaggio
Sideswipe: Travis Willingham
Sunstreaker: Darren Criss
Cliffjumper: Chris Edgerly (Hidan in Naruto Shippuden)
Mirage: Matthew Mercer (Levi in Attack on Titan)
Trailbreaker: Patrick Warburton
Bluestreak: Nathan Fillion
Hound: H. Jon Benjamin
Brawn: Kevin Michael Richardson
Gears: Tom Kenny
Huffer: Justin Roiland
Windcharger: Tom Gibis (Shikimaru in Naruto Shippuden)
Jetfire: Troy Baker
Teletran 1: Mike Rose (Teletran 1 in Cyberverse)
Alpha Trion: George Takei
Elita One: Cate Blanchett

Megatron: Neil Kaplan (Madara in Naruto Shippuden)
Starscream: Steve Blum
Skywarp: Richard Epcar (Joker in Injustice 2)
Thundercracker: Travis Willingham
Soundwave: Isaac C. Singleton Jr
Shockwave: Ron Perlman
Barricade: Keith David
Laserbeak, Ravage, Rumble, & Frenzy: Frank Welker
Slipstream: Tara Strong
Reflector(Spectro, Spyglass, Viewfinder): Steve Blum
Hotlink: James Woods
Skrapnel: Scott Whyte
Kickback: Steve Blum
Bombshell: Tom Kenny
Deadlock: Phil LaMarr
Seekers (Bitstream, Nacelle, Red Wing, etc.): John DiMaggio, Mike Rose, & Troy Baker

 

Peter Mensah - Razorclaw

 

Starscream: Mark Hamill

 

Speaking as a Brit, if they ever bring in Brainstorm (doing a MTMTE-inspired portrayal, of course), I would cast David Mitchell as the voice.

 

Hard to say there are So Many Young Actors and Old Actors to cast the Characters in the Newer Films

 

I'll give the most god damn basic and unoriginal suggestions for voices and characters

Ironhide - Peter Cullen

Jazz - Phil LaMarr

Sideswipe - Travis Willingham

Megatron - Frank Welker or Corey Burton

Starscream - Charles Adler

Soundwave - Frank Welker

Shockwave - Jon Bailey or Corey Burton

Barricade - Keith David or Jess Harnell

Thundercracker - Graham McTavish

Skywarp - Richard Epcar

Knock Out - Darran Norris

Breakdown - Alec Baldwin

 

They may be basic, but they work - I can't hear anyone else as Jazz, especially with Scatman Crothers' passing, and Knockout's only had the one voice.

 

AUTOBOTS

Optimus Prime: Peter Cullen
Bumblebee: Dylan O'Brien
Ironhide: Keith Szarabajka
Ratchet: Fred Tatasciore
Wheeljack: Christopher Swindle
Brawn: Kirk Baily
Arcee: Grey Delisle
Prowl: Troy Baker
Jazz: Phil LaMarr
Sideswipe: Nolan North
Sunstreaker: Matthew Mercer
Bluestreak: Will Friedle

Grimlock: Gregg Berger
Slag: Travis Willingham
Sludge: Rick D. Wasserman
Snarl: Hal Rayle
Swoop: Mark Allen Stewart

Silverbolt: Charlie Adler
Air Raid: Liam O'Brien
Slingshot: Rob Paulsen
Skydive: Not sure... any suggestions?
Fireflight: Not sure about him, either.
Superion: Jamieson Price


DECEPTICONS

Megatron: Frank Welker
Soundwave: Frank Welker
Shockwave: Corey Burton
Starscream: Daniel Ross
Thundercracker: Graham McTavish
Skywarp: Scott Whyte
Dirge: Liam O'Brien
Thrust: Steve Blum
Ramjet: Jamieson Price
Barricade: Keith David

Bombshell: Charlie Adler
Shrapnel: Hal Rayle
Kickback: Clive Revill

Onslaught: Travis Willingham
Brawl: Nolan North
Swindle: André Sogliuzzo
Vortex: David Boat
Blastoff: Greg Ellis
Bruticus: Rick D. Wasserman


OTHER

Unicron: Jonathan Adams