The new Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts trailer provided a fascinating new look at a new age of transformers in what follows Bumblebee with the new soft rebooting of the franchise. Though characters like Optimus Prime are returning, there are more previously unseen characters on the way.
A mixture of never-before-seen Autobots, transformers based on animals, and more, the new robotic characters shown off in the trailer make sure that fans will be filled with excitement for a fresh set of characters on a level not seen since the first Transformers movie came out over fifteen years ago.
9 Optimus Primal
It is difficult to believe they actually named a character Optimus Primal and are bringing him to the screen alongside Optimus Prime. This transformer, who comes in the shape of a large gorilla, is the leader of the Maximals and will be a major character helping the Autobots in this movie as the war between the Maximals and the Terrorcons rages on. With Peter Dinklage voicing Primal, the character is in good hands in the franchise.
Primal and Prime aren’t used to being together since the Beast Wars as shown previously are usually set many hundreds of years after the previous conflicts between the Autobots and Decepticons. Rise Of The Beasts will be a rare time that these different timeline characters have come together on-screen, which could lead to further opportunities for the franchise in the future.
8 Rhinox
Another of the Maximal group that is shown off in the new trailer, Rhinox is a member of Optimus Primal’s group that takes the form of a huge rhinoceros. Unsurprisingly, he is a strong fighter and tough member of the crew, who will likely prove very useful through the battles to come in Rise of the Beasts.
While Rhinox wasn’t shown a great deal in the trailer, he is known for being one of the more intelligent, reliable, and all-around powerful characters in the Maximal roster. It is possible he will be a significant aspect of the movie despite appearing but briefly in promotional material.
7 Airazor
Another notable member of the Maximals team, Airazor is a female transformer being voiced by Everything Everywhere All At Once’s Michelle Yeoh in Rise of the Beasts. Transforming into a giant hawk, Airazor is a deeply caring robot that wishes only to keep the Maximals safe.
Airazor appears again but briefly in the new Rise of the Beasts trailer, and while not much is known about how the character will be presented on this occasion, it is likely that she will take on the personality of a seasoned veteran, much like Yeoh herself.
6 Cheetor
The youngest and brash member of the Maximals, Cheetor is a lightning-quick transformer who travels in the form of a cheetah. It is unsurprising that he appears alongside Bumblebee in the trailer, as the fan-favorite is the youngest of the Autobot characters in most continuities.
Cheetor may not be a talking transformer but he and Bumblebee could get a lot of focus if paired together, given that Rise of the Beasts is a direct sequel to 2018’s Bumblebee, which was meant to work as a rebooting of the cinematic Transformers universe.
5 Arcee
Rise of the Beasts is finally breaking a trend with the Transformers movies that don't really feature much by way of female transformers. Arcee is one of the most notable female Autobots, often depicted as a two-wheeler and shown in more Transformers media than any other female Transformer, Arcee is finally getting more of a spotlight in this new movie.
Arcee will be voiced by YouTuber Liza Koshy in Rise of the Beasts, and will likely be another young Autobot under Optimus Prime when they come to Earth. The Maximals and Autobots are distinct factions who will be forced to work together against a new threat.
4 Mirage
Pete Davidson is bringing another of the Autobots to the screen in the form of Mirage. Seen alongside the leading human character in Rise of the Beasts in the latest trailer, played by Anthony Ramos, Mirage could be one of the most focused-on transformers this time around.
Seen as a Porsche and often seen having the ability to create holograms, helping the team greatly with these on various occasions, Mirage is a character that could be critical in the plans of the Autobots and Maximals as they bond together for this new threat. Out of the many Transformers series that the franchise has seen, there are few that haven't included Mirage in some form.
3 Scourge
Not a villainous Terrorcon like many of the enemies that will be facing the Autobots and Maximals in Rise of the Beasts, Scourge is presented as the mastermind behind the new conflict, a former Decepticon voiced by Peter Dinklage, Scourge is a violent and evil transformer.
Shown in the new trailer attacking and skewering Bumblebee, Scourge is likely going to provide a heavy threat to Autobots and Maximals alike as he begins working on some new scheme alongside the Terrorcons.
2 Battletrap
One of the easiest characters to miss in the most recent trailer, Battletrap is one of the villainous Terrorcons with the form of a large orange-and-black tow truck. While he appeared only in this form and only for a single shot in the newest trailer, it was unmistakably Battletrap.
Confirmed for the film itself separately from his appearance in the trailer, Battletrap will be voiced in the new movie by David Sobolov, who has worked on various Transformers projects in the past as a voice actor. With new projects like the Transformers: Reactivate game being announced for the franchise, it's possible that Sobolov will be having a busy few years as a fan-favorite voice actor.
1 Nightbird
Another terrorcon, who is again seen but briefly in the most recent trailer, Nightbird is a black and purple blur seen at one point who has been treated in a variety of roles and styles through different Transformers projects, notably as a ninja warrior or as an entire army of drones.
Nightbird could be anything in Rise of the Beasts, but whatever the filmmakers try to use this character for, it is certain to be a significant adversary for the Autobots and Maximals. The terrorcons are likely to be expanded upon in future trailers, but for now, they remain fairly shrouded in mystery, as does the plan of their leader Scourge. With all of these characters showing up already in the trailer, Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts is becoming one of the most anticipated movies of the year.
Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts is set for release in cinemas domestically and internationally on June 9th, 2023.