Transformers: Rise of the Beastswas released in theaters on June 29, 2025, and has been a hit with audiences. A sequel to the 2018Bumblebee, which was a prequel, a spin-off, and a soft reboot of the franchise all at once, this seventh installment takes place in the 1990s and draws heavily from the ’90s Transformers toyline Beast Wars. Beast Wars introduced two new factions to the mythos: the heroic Maximals, dedicated to preserving the world from tyranny and endowed with the ability to shapeshift into known animals, andthe villainous Predacons, aggressive dragon and beast-like Cybertrons. Fans were disappointed thatTransformers: Rise of the Beastdid not bring the Predacon faction to the big screen; it will most likely make an appearance in the next chapters. The movie did, however, feature another villainous posse: the Terrorcons, Transformers who work for Unicron and are even more powerful than the Decepticons.
Update August 26, 2025: In honor of the digital release ofTransformers: Rise of the Beasts, this article has been updated byMona Bassilwith additional entries and more information about the robots in disguises.
As theTransformersfilm series is based on a toy line, every new film installment introduces a colorful new cast of characters to both expand the scope of the story but also sell toys and other merchandise to young and older fans. Audiences of all ages and backgrounds flock to watch those fun and action-packed films, so here is a roundup of all the heroes and villains that appear inTransformers: Rise of the Beasts.
Optimus Prime
Optimus Primeis the leader of the Autobots, the most famous Transformer, and the face of the franchise. Optimus Prime has appeared in every live-actionTransformersfilm, and in this film will transform into a 1987 Freightliner semi-truck. Optimus Prime will be voiced by Peter Cullen, who voiced the character in theoriginalTransformersanimated seriesand all the live-action films.
Transformers: Rise of the Beastsis a sequel to 2018’sBumblebee, so it makes sense the title character and second most famous Transformers would return. Bumblebee is an Autobot scout who speaks through the radio after his vocal processor was damaged in battle. While Bumblebee used a VW bug as his alternate mode in his solo film, at the end of that film, he transformed into a 1970s Classic Chevrolet Camaro, which was the form he was in when Sam Witwicky first purchased him inTransformers.
Arceewas introduced inthe 1986Transformers: The Movieand is notable as the most prominent female Transformer. She made a small cameo inTransformers: Revenge of the Fallenbefore being killed off and also had a cameo in the opening scene ofBumblebee. She is finally in on the action forTransformers: Rise of the Beast,where she transforms into a Ducati motorcycle. Arcee is voiced by YouTube star Liza Koshy.
Mirageis an Autobot spy, and as his name hints has a unique power to create duplicate illusions of himself that allow him to escape and also for combat. Mirage transforms into a Porsche and forms a central friendship with Noah, the main human of the movie, played by Anthony Ramos.
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Mirage is voiced bySNLstar Pete Davidson. Mirage will be a more laid-back everyman Autobot and is one of the central characters of the film. He sacrifices himself to save Noah but, in the end, is rebuilt, implying he will be around for plenty more films.
Wheeljackis the Autobot’s lead scientist and mechanic. The character was previously shown inTransformers: Dark of the Moonbut was renamed Q for the film in honor of James Bond’s quartermaster. Wheeljack did have a small cameo at the beginning ofBumblebee, and much like Arcee seems to have found his way to Earth. Wheeljack transforms into a white VW bus. In the film, he is voiced by Cristóbal Fernández, most famous for playing the role of Dani Rojas on the hit television seriesTed Lasso.
Stratosphere
Stratosphereis an Autobot air solider, a rarity among the team as most air vehicles tend to be Decepticons. Stratosphere transforms into a cargo plane and will likely be used to help transport the Autobots across the globe. Famous voice actor John DiMaggio, known for voicing characters like Bender onFuturamaand Jake the Dog onAdventure Time, voices Stratosphere in the film.
Optimus Primal
Transformers: Rise of the Beastsdraws heavily from theBeast Warsera ofTransformers, and with it comesthe leader of the Maximals, which are descended from the Autobots. As his name implies, there is a connection betweenOptimus Primaland Optimus Prime. Unlike the Autobots, who transform into vehicles, the Maximals transform into animals, and Optimus Primal’s primary form is a gorilla. In the film, he is voiced by Ron Perlman, famous for the role of Hellboy in bothHellboyandHellboy 2: The Golden Army.
A Maximal who transforms into a peregrine falcon,Airazoris the team’s primary air support.Michelle Yeoh, hot off her performanceinEverything Everywhere All At Once,voices the character inTransformers: Rise of the Beasts. Yeoh has also appeared in recent blockbuster films likeCrazy Rich AsiansandShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. In the film, she is Optimus Primal’s second-in-command and closest friend, as well as the bridge between the Autobots and Maximals.
One of the most famous characters fromBeast WarsisCheetor, a rookie Maximal who transforms into a cheetah. Much like Optimus Primal is a mirror to Optimus Prime, Cheetor is very much theBeast Warsvariation of Bumblebee. Tongayi Chirisa voices Cheetor in the film. Chirsa has previously been in films likePalm SpringsandAntebellumand series likeThe Jim Gaffigan ShowandiZombie.
The Maximal tech expert and second in command who, as his name implies, transforms into a rhinoceros.Rhinoxis voiced David Sobolov, who previously voiced Depth Charge in the originalBeast Wars: Transformers. He has a long history with the Transformers franchise, also voicing Shockwave inTransformers: Primeand Blitzwing inBumblebee. In the film, Rhinox only has one line.
