Transformers: 10 Best Autobots Due For Live-Action Debuts

2007 saw the Autobots of The Transformers debut in live-action on the big screen. Across six films, they waged their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons, with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee as recurring characters. The movie also featured other Autobots, plucked from across the almost 40-year-old franchise.

2023’s Rise of the Beasts will feature Autobots new to the movies, begging the question of who else is due for their live-action debuts. Whether from the original cartoon or the latest comic book, there is no shortage of Autobots throughout Transformers history to make their mark on the big screen.

Punch/Counterpunch

Decepticons who defect are common in many stories, as seen in Revenge of the Fallen with Jetfire and Wheelie. The Autobot Punch is a rare instance where he actively works for both factions as a double agent. In his second robot mode as Counterpunch, he can get in on the Decepticons’ plans and report back to the Autobots.

Because Punch is somewhat obscure, any movie appearance can potentially play up his role as a spy with a twist. Another story possibility is giving the movies its own Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as Punch’s original toy bio reveals that as Counterpunch, he is a brute prone to outbursts. Punch’s inclusion can showcase the depth of the Transformers universe beyond the famous characters.

Omega Supreme

Omega Supreme makes infrequent appearances throughout the brand, but he lives up to the gravitas that his name projects when he does appear. Omega Supreme is the last line of defense for the Autobots, larger and more powerful than the average Transformer. This gigantic, taciturn powerhouse strikes fear into any unfortunate Decepticon foolish enough to cross his path.

The portrayals of Omega Supreme have deviated little from each other, with the common element of being an ancient weapon of Cybertron allied with the Autobots in most instances. His recent appearance in Netflix’s War for Cybertron: Siege continued this trend, where he finally joined the war in the finale. The movie universe can potentially repeat this or reinvent the wheel to give something new for the Autobots’ greatest weapon.

Alpha Trion

Like many great heroes before him, Optimus Prime would not have gotten to where he was without a mentor. In many incarnations of the franchise, this mentor is Alpha Trion, an elderly Transformer who, while not a fighter, is often allied to the Autobot cause. This wise sage also serves as the custodian of Cybertron’s history and guardian of the super-computer Vector Sigma.

The movie universe is an outlier, as Dark of the Moon introduced the unscrupulous Sentinel Prime as Optimus’s mentor. Despite this, there is no rule saying that Sentinel was Optimus’s only teacher. The movies could introduce Alpha Trion similarly to the original cartoon or even portray Alpha Trion as one of the original Thirteen Primes, as was done in the Transformers: Prime.

Volcanicus

Combiner teams have been a staple since the 1980’s when the Constructicons and their combined form, Devastator, were introduced. Multiple combiners were created and revamped throughout the decades, with the iconic Transformers villain Devastator even appearing in Revenge of the Fallen. It would be beneficial for the Autobots to have one of their Combiners debut in the films, and fortunately, one is already available.

Age of Extinction introduced the Dinobots, but their combined form, Volcanicus, was not conceptualized until Machinima’s Transformers: Power of the Primes. Volcanicus is not well known since the original Generation One Dinobots never combined, but a big-screen intro is sure to generate excitement. The Dinobots on their own are already mighty, but when brought together as Volcanicus, they are unstoppable.

Sunstreaker

Sunstreaker, one of the classic Autobot cars, was a common sight in Generation One. Frequently seen alongside his brother Sideswipe, the skilled yet vain warrior fought in many battles against the Decepticons until his last appearance in The Transformers: The Movie. Aside from getting name-dropped in Netflix’s War for Cybertron: Kingdom, Sunstreaker was largely absent from any television series.

Sideswipe’s appearance in Revenge of the Fallen easily allows Sunstreaker to join in on the action for future movies. The films, reaching an older target audience, can be allowed to expound on Sunstreaker’s shortcomings like his egomania and ruthlessness. The brother dynamic, first seen with twins Skids and Mudflap, can also be re-created for the movies, as both warriors take down the Decepticons.

Perceptor

The Transformers of the movies are typically warriors, possibly for the big-screen spectacle. Wheeljack/Que, the engineer in Dark of the Moon, was an exception, but for the most part, these Autobots do not have the luxury of thorough scientific analysis or the pursuit of knowledge. Therefore, the best course of action is to have a character that can do both.

Perceptor, with his keen mind, microscope mode, and verbosity, would be a welcome addition. He can fulfill a role in mission control where he communicates with the Autobots relaying information or breakthroughs. Past stories like IDW’s Last Stand of the Wreckers also showed that Perceptor possessed combat skills, allowing any movie version of the character to get in on the action as well.

Blaster

Though the Autobots often fight the Decepticons, there are moments in the movies where they have fun in a more relaxed setting. The loud, lively Blaster is a prime choice for interacting with humans in such a setting, especially with his retro boombox mode. A live-action debut would also increase Blaster’s prominence, as his last major appearance was in the original cartoon.

The cartoon also showcased Blaster’s power over sound, and The Transformers: The Movie even provided him with an army of cassette tapes. Blaster’s versatility grants him many opportunities to shine, especially against the Decepticon Soundwave. The last time these two fought was in 1986, and putting them together again is sure to be quite a rematch.

Prowl

After six films, it is high time for Prowl to have his chance to shine in live-action, and a movie characterization would solidify his place in this universe aside from a supplementary comic book appearance.

Prowl’s role as a patient strategist fits easily with the military’s heavy involvement in the movies, making him an asset on the battlefield or behind the scenes. His pragmatism and ruthlessness, seen in IDW’s comics, can also potentially fit with the less-clean nature of the movie universe’s Autobots. Even a rivalry with Barricade can be created for the movies, as both characters are police cars.

Ultra Magnus

Ultra Magnus has an enormous amount of silver screen potential. Stalwart and selfless, this mighty Autobot soldier has enough strength and leadership skills to rival Optimus Prime.

Ultra Magnus’s portrayal throughout the franchise has varied, with some series having him as an old friend of the legendary Megatron, the Autobots’ leader, or even Optimus’s literal brother. Any one of these, and possibly even more, can be utilized for the character’s first live-action appearance. It is sure to be a big spectacle when Ultra Magnus arrives on the big screen, whether in battle or alongside Optimus in both their truck modes.

Windblade

Since her creation via fan poll in 2013, Windblade has been a popular recurring character across the franchise. A movie role is certainly not out of the question, considering another recent original character, Drift, appeared in Age of Extinction. Windblade would be an easy draw for the younger audience because of her significant roles in recent series such as Transformers: Cyberverse.

A live-action Windblade could also potentially provide the movie universe something missing from the start: A lead female Autobot. Though the character Arcee has appeared in Revenge of the Fallen, Bumblebee, and soon Rise of the Beasts, it was only in a supporting capacity. Windblade can easily take this role, especially if they recreate her friendship with Bumblebee from the various animated series.

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