Transformers: Exodus

Is an upcoming reboot of the Transformers film franchise. Following Micheal Bay and Shia Lebouf's departure, Steven Spielberg wished for a more driven story; focusing less of Humans and more on the actual Transformers themselves. Disregarding already established back stories, Spielberg picked from the source material and brought in Ehren Kruger to penn the reboot

Peter Cullen reprises his role as Optimus Prime, as well as playing Optimus' younger self; Orion Pax. This time around Frank Welker has joined the cast voicing Megatron; the egnmatic leader of a small band of Cybertronian gladiators who eventually become the Decepticons. Joining them are also the voices actors and actress' that helped voice the orginal game "War For Cybertron".

The soundtracks was conducted by Vince Dicola, who had previously orchestrated music for the original 80's cartoon, as well as the '86 movie. Stan Bush provided the original theme.

PLOT
Billions of years ago, when the universe had finally formed and life was beginning to flourish; at the edge of the farthest galaxy two beings known as Primus and Unicron battled for supremecy. Primus, realizing that his brother needed to stop in order for peace and freedom to prosper, turned himself into a planet. Piecing himself apart and seperating his functions; he created the well of sparks, simply known as Vector Sigma. He created 13 smaller beings, these beings were the Primes and they carried his will. One of them, Megatronis, had become infected with Unicrons blood during the battle. The dark substance which was the opposite of the positive light that eroded from Primus, corrupted and slowly turned him. He had become the Fallen, succumbing to the darker urges. Even though Unicron was defeated and the Fallen cast out, the battle had proven costly. All the Primes were seamingly wiped out and Primus was left alone pondeering for almost a millenia. He then began creating more beings, allowing them free will and to choose who to be. Of course, war soon raved Primus as an alien race known as the Quintessions invaded and enslaved the race he had built. He secretly created brutish robots to help free the enslaved robots, the slaves began to gain knowledge and enhanced the soliders, granting them amazing strength and the ability to force the Quintessions off Primus. Over the years, the events became stories and the stories became myths. The beings didn't know their planet as Primus anymore but as Cybertron. Named after the first solider, who fought bravely and united those together under the banner: Till all are One. To ensure this would never happen again, the Cybertronians created a High Council to rally them together if any such event happens again. A Century passes and Peace seems to have returned to their galaxy.

A young Cybertronian named Orion Pax has been issued to be a data clerk by the High Council, showing up late for his first time, he is detained for over time. During which he meets a fellow data clerk named Jazz. The two quickly become friends, discussing style, philosophy and their works. Orion is tasked with gathering the data that collects from different sectors on Cybertron and has Jazz decypher and send to the High Council for reviewing. During which he also makes friends with one of the security guards at the Council building known as Ironhide as well as his liutenant Prowl. Orion spends his afternoons with and old bot, Alpha Trion; speaks of ancient Cybertron and the ways that used to exsist. Orion fascinated by the stories and the idea of a united Cybertron, such as when all of Cybertron came together to repel the Quintessions.

Deep in the slums of Cybertron, the once proud warriors who had helped lead and repeal the Quintessions are now treated as lowly commoners. Taking part in gladitorial fights, all too young to remember the great uprising. All expect one, who had quickly swept through each battle with vigor and brute strength; as well as cunning and tactics. He had no name he wished to use, but soon took on the name Megatron. In memory of the Fallen. Megatron had grown weary and impatient with the High Council, for years he had sought an audience with them. To demolish the Caste Systeme they had put in place as soon as they had power. The slaves becoming scientists and the soliders becoming lowly gladiators that killed each other off in the underbelly of Cybertron. Frequently giving speeches, soon the underbelly had accpeted Megatron as their symbol to lash out against the High Council.

During on of his monitoring sessions, he notices something odd and rather than wait for Jazz to show up for his shift, he decodes some of it. There he learns of Megatron and the sweeping tentsion on Cybertron. He begins secretly making duplicates of the messages and decoding them, wishing to get in touch with Megatron while being inspired by his speeches. Orion makes contact though radio messages and the two quickly become great friends, deeply disscusing the great advantage of a casteless Cybertron and how they can bring back the golden age by uniting under a single banner. For months they talk, plan, share and dream of a glorious Cybertron. Orion, however, is soon confronted by Jazz who revelas that he's been monitoring Orion and Megatrons disscussions. Concerned for his friend he asks what his intentions are with meeting Megatron. Orion replies that he doesn't intend to give into madness and violence and only wishes to ask Megatron about the violent protests against the High Council in his name.

On the way to meet Megatron in the slums, Orion is nearly killed in an outbreak of more violent protesters until Alpha Trion intervienes with the help of Ironhide and Prowl. As more fighting breaks out, Orion slips away with Alpha Trion. Orion tells Alpha Trion that he wishes to know why all of this fighting is in the name of Megatron. Alpha Trion warns him that he might not like the answer that awaits him. Upon arriving at Megatrons arena, Orion and Alpha Trion are met by Jazz who reveals he followed them and tells Orion that in decyphering the messages, Megatron knew this was going to happen but did nothing to stop it. Megatron soon emerges and Orion asks him why he did nothing to stop it. Megatron replies that certain actions are necessary in order to achive what is needed and wanted. Orion pleads that it doesn't have to be like this and if they go to the High Council, they will surely listen. Megatron reveals that he's been trying for many cycles without success. Orions retorts that what better way to get a meeting with the High Council than when bombs are being thrown in your name.

Making their ways across town, the group sees the destruction wrought thoughout Cybertron. Megatron remakrs that it pains him to see his planet torn and Orion agrees. Upon making their way to Council Territory, Megatron annouces that he's come to make things right and wishes to see the High Council at once. He urges Orion to come with him to prove his point and because he considers Orion a close friend. Orion goes on a head while Jazz and Alpha Trion wait in the hall chamber listening to the outcome of the meeting. The High Council accuses Megatron os staging the whole ordeal and that Orion was a sleeper agent for him. Megatron beginning to become impatient with the Council, the two groups become heated until Orion steps in. Explaining how the Caste System has done this to Cybertron and rather than work together to stop this, they are allowing it to happen and that all must be one in order to end this and prevent a full scale war. Sentinal Prime enters the chamber, upon hearing Orions words and backs up the young bot. The Council thinks it over and decide that they must follow Orions example and dub him a Prime. Granting him the name Optimus, that echos from the Allspark. Much to Orions shock, he asks what of Megatron, whom he wishes to share this seat with. The Council makes it clear until they can prove he had nothing to do with it, he cannot be given such a task. Upon hearing this, Megatron attacks the Council; wiping out most before Sentinal intervines and throws him back, Orion tries to stop both from fighting only to be gravely damaged by Megatron's mace. He annouces that he did decieve them all and that his Decipticons shall bring glory to Cybertron again, through tryanny. As his spark begins to fade, Orion hears the familiar voice of Alpha Trion who tells him that they need him now more than ever and that he will deliver them from this.

It's at this point that the ability to Transform is developed by the scientists to help them ensure an advantage on the battlefield against the brutish Deceptcons, this technology is of course then stolen by the Decepticons thanks to a Transformer known as Soundwave.

A million years later, the war rages on. Getting fiercer with every cycle. Orion being upgraded by Alpha Trion and accepting the name Optimus, begins his role as a solider. Refering to let Sentinal lead rather than himself. In the years that have passed, those who didn;t side with the Decpticons, took after the will of Primus. Deriving their names from Autonimous Robots, they became know as Autobots and fought for peace through choice and understanding. As Sentinal and Optimus lead the charge on the ground, Megatron learns of a space station that is studying Dark Energon. There he meets two scientists named Starscream and Jetfire. While Starscream is eager to learn the secret to Dark Energon, Jetfire defiently takes most of the data and narrowly escapes to warn Sentinal. Megatron reveals that Dark Energon is the blood of Unicron and the only thing that will grant them the power to allow Cybertron to flourish.

On Earth, Sentinal falls in battle to Shockwave and Optimus is mentored to lead the charge and accept himself a Prime by Alpha Trion, Optimus is worried he might not be a good leader but Alpha Trion expresses his faith in Optimus; stating he'll be everything Cybertron needs him to be, as Primus dictates. With Jazz at his side, he leads a squad consisting of Ratchet, a medic, Sideswipe a mouthy solider, and Warpath, an eager young Cybertronian. While the battle is raging on, Megatron and his troops invade the core and infect it with Dark Energon. As the Omega key, a Transformer known as Omega Supreme, is awakened to crush Megatron. With the help of Starscreams satilliete cannon, they defeat Omega and hold him captive.

Prowl and a few Autobots consisting of Bumblebee and Blurr free Kaon prison and take the territoty when they learn of the Dark Energon spreading through the planet. They send Bumblebee to send word to Optimus and he takes Ironhide and Warpath with him to the core. Once their they battle Shockwave, who has corrupted some of Cybertron's natural creatues with Dark Energon, turning an Energon worm into a corrupted monster. With Shockwave seemingly defeated, the core speaks to the three Autobots and decalres Optimus the keeper of the Matrix. As knowledge of the past, present and possible future pours into him. Alpha Trion emerges and reveals his is the last of the original 13 that foguht against Unicron. He tells Optimus that he was waiting for a Prime that is as pure as Prima was and that he is his decendant. He urges them to go as he will stay with Primus and keep him safe and purge him of remaining Dark Energon but that will make Cybertron a barren wasteland for millions of years, maybe longer. Optimus understands and leads the others back to the surface where he orders all Autobots to evacuate the planet. Megatron begins susing the sttation cannon to fire on Iacon, destrying many Autobots trying to esacpe. Ordering Silverbolt, Air Raid and Jetfire to take the down the cannon from the outside, he asks Omega to fly a small scout squad to take it out from the inside. He sends Jazz, Prowl, Blurr and Drift. With the Aerialbots fight outside, Jazz and the other get to the cannon core and destroy it after a long battle with Brawl and Barricade. Omega evacuates them as the Aerialbots work to bring the cannon down, only to find out it;s a Transformer was well named Trypticon. As it plumets to Cybertron, intending to crush Iacon, the Aerialbots fight to blow it apart. As the last few Autobots look to escape, Megatron leads a group to attack them. Fighting though the crowd, Optimus and Megatron come face to face after so many years. With Trypticon over head, both Transformers begin to fight. Optimus upset that Megatron would throw away everything for power, while Megatron chastizing Optimus for ruining his chance to lead Cybertron. With the area beginning to break apart due to Trypticons bombardment. Many Transformers become seperated and Megatron takes the advantage to retreat, having sustained heavy damage during his fight with Optimus. With Trypticon destroyed, the remaining Autobots decide to remain for a time; making sure that every other Autobot makes it safetly off Cybertron before they join them, revealing the Ark.

CAST
Peter Cullen - Orion Pax, Optimus Prime

Frank Welker - Megatron, Soundwave, Rumble, Frenzy, Lazerbeak

Keith Szarabajka - Ironhide

Johnny Yong Bosch - Bumblebee

Liam O'Brian - Air Raid, Brawl

Travis Willingham - Sideswipe

Nolan North - Barricade, Blurr

Kari Walghren - Arcee

Laura Bailey - Elita-One

Kyle Herbert - Prowl

Corey Burton - Shockwave

Troy Baker - Jetfire, Sentinal Prime

Patrick Seitz - Silverbolt

Micheal Keith Richardson - Omega Supreme

Sam Reigal - Starscream

Fred Tatasciore - Ratchet, Trypticon, Alpha Trion

Darius Mccrary - Jazz

Yuri Lowenthal - Drift

Isaac C. Singleton Jr. - Prima, Primus