‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ Features Classic Autobot Hot Rod as Revealed in New Design Shared by Director Michael Bay; Optimus Prime Dies?

‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ is set to feature the classic autobot Hot Rod as revealed in a new design shared by director Michael Bay. The new character’s introduction into the series fueled speculation about Optimus Primes’ imminent death.

According to Superherohype, Hot Rod is set to make his big-screen appearance alongside other robots including Autobots Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Drift, Sqweeks as well as Decepticons Megatron, Barricade, and Onslaught.

Bay posted the character in Autobot form just recently on his Twitter account. Based on the design, Hot Rod closely resembles Bumblebee in that he is disguised as a camaro. The description accompanying the image read that he is Bumblebee’s brother-in-arms wholly explaining the two characters’ similar look.

Hot Rod possesses a brash, headstrong and arrogant personality. He was voiced by Judd Nelson in the 1986 animated feature ‘Transformers: The Movie’. At some point, he took over as the new leader of the Autobots after Optimus Prime was killed off. He went under the name Rodimus Prime.

Unlike his Hot Rod persona, Rodimus Prime suffered a lack of confidence as the new Autbot commander and doubted all decisions he ever made. Despite this, however, he remained headstrong, self-reliant, impatient and arrogant. Rodimus Prime is considered a well-known intergalactic hero and is the last of the Primes in G1.

According to /Film, Hot Rod’s introduction into the ‘Transformers’ cinematic franchise fueled speculation that Optimus Prime may eventually meet his death and pass on the role of leader to the new character. It remains unknown who will be voicing Hot Rod in the upcoming film.

Mark Wahlberg is set to reprise his role as lead human protagonist Cade Yeager. His character was first introduced in 2014’s ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ also directed by Bay. Although the film received generally negative reviews upon its release, it became a commercial success after grossing $1.1 billion on a production budget of $210 million according to The Numbers.

Joining Wahlberg in the cast are Laura Haddock, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Hopkins, Isabela Moner, Tyrese Gibson, Ken Watanabe, and Peter Cullen.

‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ is an upcoming action-adventure and science-fiction film directed by Michael Bay with a script prepared by Matt Holloway, Art Marcum, and Ken Nolan. It is produced by Hasbro and Paramount Pictures.