Toon Zone Talkback - Optimus Prime's Voice Cast for "Transformers" Movie

[bigddan11]

This is the talkback thread for Optimus Prime's Voice Cast for "Transformers" Movie.

This should be interesting. Many of today's kids are used to hearing Gary Chalk as Optimus Prime, so they won't recognize what a great choice Cullen is. I'll be watching it just to hear his voice as Prime again.

[Juu-kuchi]

It's sad that I cannot express how ecstatic I am right here that Cullen is once again Optimus Prime.

[TheMecca]

Okay, since this is official news now:
The movie, no matter how bad the script is, will be officially awesome.

[dtemplar]

All we need now is Frank Welker as Megatron.

[Lord Dalek]

Oh thank heavens, no matter how many things MB screws up at least got the CASTING right!

[Dark Fact]

Peter Cullen back as Prime? That's incredible!

They need to get Welker back as Megatron because it wouldn't fit unless Cullen is openly talking trash to Welker!

And if not Welker, Leonard Nimoy.

[Aldrius]

I like Kaye and Chalk alot... but it's good to see the classic actors in the roles.

(Though I think Nimoy is far from a good second choice for Megatron... >_>)

[NinjaJack]

All we need now is Frank Welker as Megatron.

No, please not Weller. Megatron sounded so exhausted. Kaye brought Megs to an awesome level. And I always wanted to hear Kaye vs Cullen

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Dammit. I really wish they would use Gary Chalk's voice. Peter Cullen is still a decent choice, though.

[Beat]

No, please not Weller. Megatron sounded so exhausted. Kaye brought Megs to an awesome level. And I always wanted to hear Kaye vs Cullen

People want Welker, not Kaye.

[Aldrius]

People want Welker, not Kaye.

'People'? o_O

I'm sure there are lots of people who enjoy Kaye more than Welker. (Considering Kaye's knack for that Megolamaniac accent... though I always liked him better as Megatron II.)

Though I did think it was silly to cast Kaye and Chalk as 'tron and Prime... considering they played different characters in Beasties...

[Conan-san]

Huzza for Cullen, the true voice of toonami!

[Mr. Joker]

I was hoping for Gary Chalk, to me he is the voice of Optimus. Same with David Kaye to me is the voice of Megatron. So my plans to see the movie just ended.

[Conekiller]

You're really not going to go see this movie simply becuase of Prime's voice?

Personally, I don't think Welker's Megatron would work in a real-world Megatron. It's too cartoony and would kill any kind of visuall impression Megatron would give in the movie.

A buddy of mine suggested Keith David as Megatron

[James]

Good call. Surprising call too. I wasn't expecting such a loyal choice - I thought they'd be looking to consolidating their myth rather than borrow from what's been done.

But I'm not complaining.

Welker is a logical Megatron. If you are going to pull from one side, you should pull from the other. He's also a big enough name with enough professional credit and role versatility to make him a viable choice. If they need him to shift the VA a little for the life role, he's got that resume to prove it.

[Anarky]

Cullen owns
I've always liked Welker's raspy, metallic Megatron. With less campy dialogue, I'm certain Welker's Megatron would sound as menacing as ever on the silver screen.

[Duke]

I surprised people here thought Chalk and Kaye actually had a chance to play Prime & Megs.

This movie is targeted towards the fans of the 80's cartoons. NOT the people who fell in love with Beast Wars. NOT the people who liked Armada. NOT the people who enjoyed Cybertron. The 80's series was one of the most successful brands back then, and it's what 95% of America (i.e. people not on this forum or at a TF fansite) thinks of when they say Transformers. To not try to milk that nostalgia for all its worth would be condemning the movie to failure at the box office and likely the critics as well. Sure, kids are targeted too, but that's more of a name-brand-thing than any loyalty to the current TV series.

Talk to any casual viewer over the age of 21, and they'll want the 80's voices. This is the 80's show broguht to life, so they're gonna get the 80's voices if they can. That's why Optimus is going to be a semi (and transform in a similar fashion) like he was in the 80's instead of a fire truck/tractor trailer like he has been recently. I doubt we'll see ANYTHING from the TV series from Beast Wars on, except maybe, maybe a 10-second cameo. (Are they even filming in Vancouver?)

Though it would be great for Megs to become a gun again, he'll probably be a boring tank like he always is.

[Noukon]

A buddy of mine suggested Keith David as Megatron

Keith David is an incredible voice actor, but I think he's more of a brooding evil than a chaotic evil. Not quite the right type of voice for the role.

Associating Chalk and Kaye with Prime and Megatron above the original voice actors is simply wrong. I know a lot of people are more familiar with the new Transformers stuff than the classic series, but the classic series is what the movie is going off of. You can't expect them to pull VAs off of what boils down to an anime dub.

[Aldrius]

Personally, I don't think Welker's Megatron would work in a real-world Megatron. It's too cartoony and would kill any kind of visuall impression Megatron would give in the movie.

He's a pretty talented performer. Given a different environment I'm sure he could pull off something a bit more down to earth.

Eh, considering they cast Cullen... why not go for Welker too? *Shrug*

Keith David is an incredible voice actor, but I think he's more of a brooding evil than a chaotic evil. Not quite the right type of voice for the role.

He's more of a confident evil. A guy who is so bad-ass that he doesn't need to be boastful or big to beat you. :P

[HellCat]

I'd be for giving Chalk a cameo. Maybe even make a joke of it like:

Optimus: "Good work. If I don't watch my back you'll be giving the orders around here soon".
Chalk voiced Autobot: *chuckles* "Maybe in another lifetime, sir".