Transformers: Rise of the Beasts: Cast guide and reviews round-up
Everything you need to know as Optimus Prime returns to the big screen
Watch: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts teaser trailer
The Autobots are returning to the big screen for the first time since 2018’s Bumblebee in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. The last mainline Transformers movie was 2017's Transformers: The Last Knight, and this movie is designed to be a sort-of sequel to both.
The series has been humming along since 2007 and has never let mixed reviews hinder its box-office takings with the franchise grossing almost $5 billion so far.
Cinema’s favourite pyromaniac Michael Bay was the original director of the series, overseeing all five original instalments with Steven Spielberg also on board as producer.
Read more: Transformers timeline and recap: The story so far
But it’s not been an easy ride to the Rise of the Beasts after The Last Knight and Bumblebee and both underperformed at the box office leaving producers unsure which direction to go in.
Two competing scripts were ordered with one by producer-turned-writer Joby Harrold winning out. Harold is no stranger to blockbuster filmmaking as he penned screenplays for Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur and has a story credit on the upcoming The Flash. He was also a writer and producer on Disney’s Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series.
Robots that haven’t been seen in the cinema before will be featured as the film takes inspiration from Beast Wars: Transformers, a 1996 TV show popular with die hard fans.
So read on for everything we know so far about the new Transformers movie.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts release date
After a lengthy delay, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is out now in UK cinemas.
That’s almost an entire year after its originally scheduled release date of 24 June 2022. Two sequels to follow are already in development.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts reviews
The new Transformers movie has received a mixed response from critics, racking up a 53% rating on reviews aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
Yahoo Movies: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts review: Switch off your brain and let the CGI wash over you (3-min read)
The Guardian: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts review – limp, lifeless robot sequel (4-min read)
Evening Standard: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts movie review: the robot franchise is getting reeeeally rusty (2-min read)
Deadline: ‘Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts’ Review: Exciting Action Sequences But Generic Storytelling (4-min read)
The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Review: Seventh Installment Is Comfort Food for Fans (5-min read)
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts plot
Set seven years after the events of Bumblebee, Rise of the Beasts takes place in 1994 and will follow two archeologists who find themselves in the middle of an ancient war between the Autobots and three factions of Transformer: Maximals, Predacons and Terrorcons.
A globe-trotting adventure, Rise of the Beasts will see its action take place in New York and Peru.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts cast
Leading the human cast is Anthony Ramos as Noah Diaz, a Brooklyn based former military man who is an expert in electronics. Ramos is best known for his performances on stage in Hamilton and in the film adaptation of In the Heights.
Dominique Fishback plays Elena Wallace, an expert in artefacts who works at a museum and has to contend with a troublesome boss. Fishback won a Bafta nomination for her role in Judas and the Black Messiah and has also starred David Simon’s TV shows The Deuce and Show Me a Hero.
Former Dexter star Luna Lauren Velez plays the mother of Ramos’ character while the live action cast is rounded out by the Grammy nominated rapper Tobe Nwigwe
On the voice acting side of things, the legendary Peter Cullen returns to voice Optimus Prime, which he has done since the 1980’s.
The star-studded voice cast also includes Sons of Anarchy star Ron Perlman as Optimus Primal, the leader of the Maximals who can transform into a gorilla and Game of Thrones legend Peter Dinklage as Scourge, the head of the Terrorcons who can turn into a freight truck.
Comedian Pete Davidson voices Mirage while the newly Oscar nominated Michelle Yeoh portrays Airazor.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts director
While Michael Bay looked after the first five installments and Travis Knight was behind Bumblebee, Steven Caple Jr is in the director’s chair for Rise of the Beasts.
Caple Jr is best known for directing Creed II starring Michael B Jordan, Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren. Before that he directed well-received indie drama The Land about a group of teenage skateboarders who become embroiled in a car heist.
A look down Caple Jr’s Instagram shows that production wrapped in October 2021.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts trailer
Paramount launched teaser trailer for the new Transformers film on 1 December, 2022. A second Big Game Spot was released during the 2023 Super Bowl. Watch it below.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is in cinemas now.
