It looks like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will change the status quo, as Collider has just revealed that Ron Perlman will voice Optimus Primal. He is taking over the voice from Garry Chalk, who many might remember from the CG animated series, Beast Wars: Transformers. The Maximals will be joined by the Predacons and Terrorcons. It’s uncertain how they’ll appear in the series and how they’ll interact alongside the classic Autobots and Decepticons. The series will take place in Brooklyn in the 1990s, which is the same year the original Beast Wars toyline was first released. The film will be directed by Steven Caple Jr. with Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback confirmed. It isn’t the only film of the franchise in development, as Angel Manuel Soto got hired to direct another entry which is in early development.
There is still no official confirmation if this upcoming entry will continue the Michael Bay films, or act as a quasi reboot through the Bumblebee film. The new direction of introducing the Beast Wars concept will certainly make the next entry in the franchise stand out from the rest. They may also make this an unofficial reboot of the entire franchise, as Optimus Primal could take on the role of Optimus Prime moving forward. They aren’t the same character, as Primal is actually a descendant of the Autobot and took on his name. The smae rule applies to the Megatron during the Beast Wars era, who may also get cast in the near future.
Source: Collider
