Why Optimus Prime Has A Different Name In 2024’s New Transformers Movie

Despite being the face of the franchise for decades as Optimus Prime, the iconic hero will be known by another name in Transformers One. The latest installment in the franchise, the upcoming animated film is set to dive into an era in Transformers history that has yet to be explored on the big screen. Taking place at an earlier point in the Transformers timeline than all other films, Transformers One is expected to offer some much-needed answers about the backstories of characters like Megatron, Bumblebee, and of course, Optimus Prime himself.

Footage released from Paramount’s panel at CinemaCon sheds light on what to expect from the next Transformers adventure. As expected, the highly-anticipated prequel will showcase the dynamic of Optimus Prime and his future archnenemy, Megatron. It’ll also look at the characters’ journey toward understanding their abilities as Autobots. While Optimus Prime will naturally take the lead in the story to come in Transformers One, it appears he won’t be known under that name – or at least, not at the start of the film.

Transformers One Is The First Movie To Use Optimus Prime’s Original Name

Optimus Prime’s birth name was Orion Pax

As the CinemaCon footage from Transformers One reveals, Optimus will be referred to by his fellow Autobots as “Orion,” not “Optimus Prime.” The reason for this can be found in his history beyond the movies. Other live-action films haven’t used this name, but “Orion” is tied directly to his origin story. It’s been established in cartoons and comic books that before becoming the hero he’s commonly recognized as today, Optimus was an average Cybertron resident named Orion Pax.

Optimus’ Orion Pax backstory has been a part of numerous continuities, but has yet to make it into the films. Admittedly, it’s not surprising that this has been the case. While the Transformers movie franchise has visited Cybertron, what it took for Optimus to become the righteous leader of the Autobots is not a period the films have devoted time to thus far. In that respect, Transformers One will stand apart from the movies that were made in live action.

Transformers One’s Prequel Story Explains Optimus Prime’s Name Change

What kind of person was Orion Pax?

The direction Transformers One is taking with its cast of characters perfectly explains why the “Orion” name is finally getting exposure in the movie side of the franchise. Clearly, the animated adventure is taking a page from the comics and the cartoons, where it’s understood that Optimus Prime wasn’t always the competent, almost overpowered Autobot warrior seen in most stories. Acquiring that mantle was a story all its own, and one that there’s been many versions of at this point. Transformers One is on track to offer its own take on it now, meaning it should fully showcase Orion Pax’s gradual evolution into Optimus Prime.