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Mr. Beaks Rolls Out An Interview With Optimus Prime Himself, Peter Cullen!

Though Michael Bay didn't exactly go out of his way to placate the TransFans during the production of the first TRANSFORMERS, he did make one very wise concession: he brought back the inimitable Peter Cullen as the voice of Optimus Prime. Regardless of what Bay and his team did to the design of the character (I had no qualms with any of their alterations), it would've been wrong to hear anything but Cullen's baritone rumbling forth from the leader of the Autobots.

I didn't get to chat with Cullen prior to the theatrical release of TRANSFORMERS last year, so it's nice to catch up with the veteran voice actor as he makes the press rounds in support of the Blu-ray (which hits shelves on September 2nd). Cullen's got a reputation as one of the nicer guys you'll ever interview, and he certainly lived up to it as he spoke warmly and enthusiastically of the fans' tireless support, the enduring appeal of the animated show, and what we might be able to expect from the second film. Though Cullen's enjoyed a long, successful career as a voice actor (stretching back to his days as an the announcer on THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR), he's especially proud of his work as Optimus Prime. The fans are lucky to have a class act like Cullen.

Here's the MVP of the TRANSFORMERS universe...

Beaks: The fans played a huge part in getting you in the film. Are you still sensing an appreciation from them now that the film has been made?

Peter Cullen: Oh, absolutely! To tell you the truth, Jeremy, I was knocked out by it. It gave me a whole new perspective on the work that we all did. I tried to let that fan base know that I was extremely grateful for their lobbying efforts, and that I didn't want to disappoint them or have them be disappointed in any way.

Beaks: It's very rare that a voice actor gets to feel that kind of connection with their audience. You do your work in relative isolation, and it goes out into the world, and you know it connects with people in one way or another. But this is kind of unprecedented.

Cullen: It took me by surprise, I must admit. Of the conventions that I have been to, the amount of people is another surprise; to think that anyone can muster that from the voiceover world... it's strange and wonderful.

Beaks: Have you ever had a moment where you're... I don't know, ordering a coffee or something, and someone recognizes your voice?

No, not really. (Laughs) But I have had serious reactions from some people who've been told in my company, "Oh, he does Optimus Prime." They'll do a double-take, and, and because I know what's taking place, I'll immediately respond (in Optimus's voice), "Cool it!"

Beaks: (Laughing) That's great.

Cullen: I'll give them a look, and say (as Optimus again), "Calm down! Not here! Not now!" And they'll go, "Oh, my god! That's so great!" That is a real gift. If you can receive anything in your life that's bigger than that, I couldn't conceive it. That kind of feeling that you get from people appreciating something you've done is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

Beaks: As a working voice actor, I can't imagine that you know, one show to the next, whether your work is going to make a deep imprint in the popular culture. Was there any inkling when you took on the role of Optimus Prime that this character was going to leave a deeper groove than the others?

Cullen: I think so. When I saw the character breakdown, I said, "This is indeed a real hero. This is not like any hero we've ever seen before." He penetrated different zones. There was a sense of him. He wasn't just muscle and strength. He went beyond that. There was dignity and courage, and a soft spoken honor and integrity about him. Very well written. So to apply those traits... they weren't necessarily implicated in the script; I just did an impression of my brother Larry, who served in the Marine Corps, and lowered the voice. I think we nailed it. The scripts were wonderfully written, and there was so much to absorb in a half-hour. Don't forget, Jeremy, that was how many years ago? 1984? '85? Gee whiz, I was just a child! (Laughs)

Beaks: I was in grade school at the time. Transformers hit right at the right time for me. The toys and the cartoon came out when I was in fourth grade, and the animated movie was released in the summer of '86. That was right before I entered junior high, so it was the perfect sendoff. You couldn't have toys or be watching cartoons like that in 7th grade.

Cullen: In this day and age, with the electronic stuff you can get off of DVDs and the internet. And now the Blu-ray. Have you heard about that?

Beaks: Oh, yeah.

Cullen: Oh, yeah! I went down and saw it, and it's incredible. You don't have to buy toys anymore. Just buy the Blu-ray, and there's about a hundred toys right there on your screen.

I think about all of the options that kids have available to them now. If I would've had some bells-and-whistles Blu-ray when I was twelve, I probably would've never left the house.

Cullen: It's huge.

Beaks: And the Blu-ray is only going to stoke more anticipation for TRANSFORMERS 2, which is shooting right now. Have you had the opportunity to visit the set, see any footage or chat with Michael Bay?

Cullen: I've had one work day with Michael. We did the opening. But I didn't have the opportunity to see any real footage - until I was leaving. I hate to use the word over and over "knocked out", but I was stopped in my tracks. "Whoa! Can I see that again!?!?" It's going to be huge.

Beaks: Just when you thought they couldn't top the spectacle of the first movie?

Cullen: No question. He's excited, too. Bay is really excited. He's animated. He's such a creative guy and a perfectionist. He's got a high energy level that's really cool.

Beaks: He gets a bit like a little kid when he's working.

Cullen: You can see his brain working. What goes on in that head of his is indescribable. (Laughs) He's amazing.

Beaks: How much of a connection have you been able to form with the human actors? Now that the first film was a hit and you know you'll be making more, have you had the opportunity to interact with Shia or Megan?

Cullen: Nope. None of the above. I have not met anyone. I know Charlie Adler [the voice of Starscream], but aside from the voiceover people... I didn't even meet Hugo Weaving. I admired his work, but... I haven't had an opportunity to be with the real actors. During this year, I'm sure there will be a time where I'll be able to go to the studio and see some of that. I'm looking forward to that.

Beaks: It's amusing how you can go from the epitome of a strong leader in Optimus Prime to doing the voice of Eeyore. That's a compliment to your range as an actor, I would say.

Cullen: (Laughs) Well, thank god they're in the same vocal area. I just apply the baritone. Eeyore requires a lot more air; he's actually deeper in another way. It's a chest resonance more than anything else. He never yells, and he doesn't laugh. Neither one of them laughs. Optimus doesn't laugh. They chuckle, but they don't laugh.

Beaks: But I watching TRANSFORMERS over the weekend on HBO, and I was noticing how you subtly changed your vocal performance from the cartoon. You gave Optimus a little more lightness. We get to see a funnier side.

Cullen: Right. I think you'll see more of that. His relationship with humans demands that he be more human. When he's one-on-one with Sam or the other characters, there's an opportunity for more humor and sensitivity, not just stone-cold metal. Coming into that human element... it's different; it's a little challenging because you have to be more conversational without stepping out of his character or losing any of his ingredients. We'll see more of that, I think. I don't want to speculate, but it seems to be going that way.

Beaks: Well, I don't need Michael Bay's ninjas breaking my windows again, so let's not talk about things that we're not supposed to talk about.

And there ya have it! You'll be able to show off your home theater setup with the Blu-ray of TRANSFORMERS starting September 2nd.

Faithfully submitted,

Mr. Beaks

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Reader Talkback

More than meets the eye
by mrfan
Aug 28th, 2008
06:38:51 PM
Love the voice
by mrfan
Aug 28th, 2008
06:39:12 PM
Ghunz
by ghunz
Aug 28th, 2008
06:44:10 PM
DAMMIT
by ghunz
Aug 28th, 2008
06:44:30 PM
A shiny silver coin
by peagreenboy
Aug 28th, 2008
06:44:42 PM
Cross my fingers
by ghunz
Aug 28th, 2008
06:45:41 PM
It's pathetic the editors here love this film
by IndustryKiller!
Aug 28th, 2008
06:49:11 PM
Peter Cullen is still amazing though
by IndustryKiller!
Aug 28th, 2008
06:50:27 PM
Fuck Bayformers
by photoboy
Aug 28th, 2008
06:52:52 PM
Do we call the next one
by peagreenboy
Aug 28th, 2008
06:53:52 PM
The toys are great, and so are the commercials
by Hikaru Ichijo
Aug 28th, 2008
06:54:44 PM
derr
by Flipao
Aug 28th, 2008
06:58:20 PM
Fart Fuckers
by Harold-Sherbort
Aug 28th, 2008
07:02:59 PM
I would so use that voice in the bedroom
by samurai sark
Aug 28th, 2008
07:03:39 PM
My favorite part of the movie
by samurai sark
Aug 28th, 2008
07:06:20 PM
people are funny
by Bouncy X
Aug 28th, 2008
07:12:54 PM
Thanks, Beaks
by Heckles
Aug 28th, 2008
07:14:25 PM
cullen is just a class act...but i'm confused -
by orange cinema
Aug 28th, 2008
07:14:34 PM
Aw, thanks Bouncy
by peagreenboy
Aug 28th, 2008
07:21:03 PM
'the blu-ray"
by HoboCode
Aug 28th, 2008
07:24:53 PM
Did he transform into a truck for you??
by picardsucks
Aug 28th, 2008
07:27:53 PM
I basically heard Optimus when I read every line there
by TallBoy66
Aug 28th, 2008
07:30:09 PM
I did a Transformers impersonation once...
by mrfan
Aug 28th, 2008
07:34:21 PM
welker for Soundwave, at least
by gnortsmra
Aug 28th, 2008
07:40:20 PM
Love Cullen
by Phategod2
Aug 28th, 2008
07:44:00 PM
Did you guysknow he also
by Phategod2
Aug 28th, 2008
07:52:20 PM
THANK YOU MICHAEL BAY!
by NiceGuyEddie19
Aug 28th, 2008
07:54:57 PM
THANK YOU MICHAEL BAY!
by NiceGuyEddie19
Aug 28th, 2008
07:55:33 PM
Who cares?
by TooWhippy
Aug 28th, 2008
07:59:04 PM
TooWhimpy
by NiceGuyEddie19
Aug 28th, 2008
08:07:14 PM
Fuck the haters.
by xevoid
Aug 28th, 2008
08:21:03 PM
DOES HAVING TASTE
by Phategod2
Aug 28th, 2008
08:21:42 PM
I do not employ keys...Can you direct me to the nearst chicken?
by WIBoomer1
Aug 28th, 2008
08:28:30 PM
Nice job, Beaks. Cullen rocks.
by Mr. Nice Gaius
Aug 28th, 2008
08:30:08 PM
Xevoid: Awesome. Phategod2...
by NiceGuyEddie19
Aug 28th, 2008
08:35:11 PM
I enjoyed Transformers...
by Banzai Rootskibango
Aug 28th, 2008
08:35:22 PM
Frank Welker for Megatron (or Soundwave)
by Demode
Aug 28th, 2008
08:41:39 PM
I wants me some more STARSCREAM!
by Banzai Rootskibango
Aug 28th, 2008
08:43:11 PM
cullen is the man
by ironic_name
Aug 28th, 2008
08:45:14 PM
Go ahead fatties, start the Bayhate!
by dr sauch
Aug 28th, 2008
08:49:20 PM
It's simple
by Phategod2
Aug 28th, 2008
08:50:10 PM
Phategod
by xevoid
Aug 28th, 2008
09:04:33 PM
It's too bad there wasn't much room for robots
by Dingbatty
Aug 28th, 2008
09:14:23 PM
Should use Welker, but, if not, DR SMOOV
by Dingbatty
Aug 28th, 2008
09:16:43 PM
DR Smoov Voice acting is priceless
by Phategod2
Aug 28th, 2008
09:23:26 PM
wow....AICN interviews voice actors
by Loosejerk
Aug 28th, 2008
09:32:29 PM
Tits haters
by xevoid
Aug 28th, 2008
09:39:20 PM
"I shall call you shitbug"
by ironic_name
Aug 28th, 2008
09:45:29 PM
I thought it was S--- Piece
by Phategod2
Aug 28th, 2008
09:48:40 PM
The (original) voice of MONTEREY JACK!
by Nasty In The Pasty
Aug 28th, 2008
09:52:53 PM
~~~VITOR! STARFIRE CHAMPION! (of analingus)~~~
by The Marquis de Side 3
Aug 28th, 2008
10:09:44 PM
Yes, bring Welker into the movie!!!
by tvspace
Aug 28th, 2008
10:35:10 PM
Fuck Michael Bay!!!!
by Pissed Off And Bitter
Aug 28th, 2008
10:56:32 PM
Cullen is further proof
by Adelai Niska
Aug 28th, 2008
10:58:06 PM
My 3 cents
by johnnykool
Aug 28th, 2008
10:58:44 PM
Re: Real Actors
by m0reta
Aug 28th, 2008
11:10:05 PM
Continually amazed...
by Galva
Aug 28th, 2008
11:19:35 PM
I am a tit hater
by Loosejerk
Aug 28th, 2008
11:26:48 PM
Cullen is good...
by DarthFloyd
Aug 28th, 2008
11:46:29 PM
What I wanna fuckin know is...
by conspiracy
Aug 29th, 2008
12:17:37 AM
Peter Cullen...
by Autobot Optimus Prime
Aug 29th, 2008
12:33:34 AM
I saw all the action in Transformers
by bottombrick
Aug 29th, 2008
12:39:31 AM
re: m0reta
by Chief Joseph
Aug 29th, 2008
12:42:56 AM
Howabout this for a twist?
by DOGSOUP
Aug 29th, 2008
01:06:44 AM
Welker WAS MEGATRON In Transformers...
by loserguy3000
Aug 29th, 2008
01:08:38 AM
Pure crap
by fight the new world order
Aug 29th, 2008
01:14:23 AM
Haha
by syn_flood
Aug 29th, 2008
01:18:40 AM
TBers united in their hatred for Michael Bay...
by one_crazy_nagger
Aug 29th, 2008
01:32:19 AM
This is not like any hero we've ever seen before.
by Irina Spanko
Aug 29th, 2008
01:41:17 AM
fuck yeah this hero turns into a truck
by SlickyVonBoner
Aug 29th, 2008
02:18:29 AM
agreed, transformers was crap
by Shadow Warrior
Aug 29th, 2008
02:37:21 AM
Pixar wins again in 2009!
by Thylacine
Aug 29th, 2008
03:30:09 AM
声俳優についての私の 意見
by Acne Scarface
Aug 29th, 2008
03:34:06 AM
crybaby fucks, the first movie rocked, total popcorn flick
by bongo123
Aug 29th, 2008
04:14:02 AM
Only a blind loser fuck has no qualms with those designs
by quantize
Aug 29th, 2008
05:38:27 AM
Cullen is a GOD.
by CountdeCeredigion
Aug 29th, 2008
05:46:28 AM
It just goes to show you guys...
by Its a LION
Aug 29th, 2008
05:51:03 AM
and FUCK the 'fuck the hater' haters
by quantize
Aug 29th, 2008
05:51:08 AM
Damn You Michael Bay
by MCMLXXVI
Aug 29th, 2008
06:49:43 AM
Real Transformers fans only
by Dazzler69
Aug 29th, 2008
07:04:16 AM
Vengeor and Voltron
by Grammaton Cleric Binks
Aug 29th, 2008
07:09:48 AM
megatron
by saddael
Aug 29th, 2008
07:56:11 AM
the thing bugs me
by saddael
Aug 29th, 2008
08:05:30 AM
It's over Prime
by Grammaton Cleric Binks
Aug 29th, 2008
08:05:30 AM
yes binks
by saddael
Aug 29th, 2008
08:07:03 AM
Seriously there would be much less hate on
by Grammaton Cleric Binks
Aug 29th, 2008
08:12:42 AM
its the rationale
by saddael
Aug 29th, 2008
08:17:56 AM
Loved the 1st movie
by Mr Slippy Fist
Aug 29th, 2008
08:42:48 AM
AS A HETROSEXUAL MALE...
by barrignite
Aug 29th, 2008
08:50:13 AM
Just Re-Watched TRANSFORMERS The Other Day
by LaserPants
Aug 29th, 2008
09:00:41 AM
met him at BotCon 07
by VAWitch
Aug 29th, 2008
09:21:19 AM
To loserguy3000
by VAWitch
Aug 29th, 2008
09:28:50 AM
Oh good, that
by TheContinentalOp
Aug 29th, 2008
10:13:01 AM
's what Transformers 2 needs...
by TheContinentalOp
Aug 29th, 2008
10:13:36 AM
It was a movie
by GiveMeAnFinBreak
Aug 29th, 2008
11:11:36 AM
D.Vader that was a copout by Bay as
by Grammaton Cleric Binks
Aug 29th, 2008
11:20:48 AM
We need a phantom menace re-edit...
by Darth Macchio
Aug 29th, 2008
11:47:01 AM
Somebody finally mentioned Venger!
by Turingtestee
Aug 29th, 2008
11:59:06 AM
Arcee design. Sorry if this has been posted.
by HoboCode
Aug 29th, 2008
12:21:46 PM
Jetfire design: SR-71 Blackbird
by HoboCode
Aug 29th, 2008
12:23:13 PM
You say high energy level...
by p0llk4t
Aug 29th, 2008
12:38:34 PM
+1 for Welker
by topaz4206
Aug 29th, 2008
12:40:53 PM
wow an interview with Peter Cullen
by ArcadianDS
Aug 29th, 2008
12:52:17 PM
Peter Cullen's BEST performance
by Sithdan
Aug 29th, 2008
12:59:08 PM
Just like Star Wars...
by p0llk4t
Aug 29th, 2008
01:15:10 PM
DVader
by fight the new world order
Aug 29th, 2008
01:24:35 PM
Cullen rocks, apologists suck.
by Chief Joseph
Aug 29th, 2008
02:46:02 PM
How can adults have this conversation?
by Klytus_I.m_Bored
Aug 29th, 2008
02:50:33 PM
"phantom edit"
by Chief Joseph
Aug 29th, 2008
02:55:56 PM
"phantom edit"
by Chief Joseph
Aug 29th, 2008
03:00:43 PM
I'm tired of people complaining about Welker in the shitty game.
by Its a LION
Aug 29th, 2008
03:27:19 PM
Hahah...so it's either...
by Darth Macchio
Aug 29th, 2008
03:41:37 PM
Darth Macchio
by Klytus_I.m_Bored
Aug 29th, 2008
03:43:49 PM
My most hated Hollywood Term:
by Phategod2
Aug 29th, 2008
04:24:04 PM
Average cartoon, average film...
by BiggusDickus
Aug 29th, 2008
04:52:12 PM
Bayformers and stupid people
by youhatestarwars
Aug 29th, 2008
05:26:51 PM
Wait, Cullen never met the other Stars?
by BetaSword
Aug 29th, 2008
10:14:25 PM
youhatestarwars...
by spencey7
Aug 30th, 2008
07:31:00 AM
It was a BAD popcorn movie
by PacmanFever
Aug 30th, 2008
09:20:40 AM
9.9
by critch
Aug 31st, 2008
12:02:28 AM
Critch
by PacmanFever
Aug 31st, 2008
11:02:05 AM
He was Eeyore?
by Series7
Sep 1st, 2008
12:07:16 AM

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