The Transformers One reveals that Optimus Prime was once the seemingly normal Orion Pax. So how did he wind up with his signature powers and title?

Transformers One is confirmed to explore Optimus Prime’s life as Orion Pax, making the movie the first big-screen project to dive into his evolution into the iconic hero. Whereas Michael Bay’s live-action Transformers movies depicted Optimus Prime as the all-powerful and wise leader of the Autobots, Paramount’s 2024 animated feature is poised to take a completely different direction. As revealed by the Transformers One trailer, Optimus Prime won’t even be called by that name in the film; rather, he’ll be known as Orion Pax.

Of course, Optimus Prime spending his early days as Orion Pax is not an invention of Josh Cooley’s movie. The Orion Pax identity has a presence in multiple Transformers continuities. Similar to how the trailer characterizes Orion as a “worker bot” who can’t transform, other Transformers stories have painted him as someone who was once just an ordinary resident of Cybertron. After all, it makes sense that there had to be a point where he “became” the great leader of Transformers’ Autobots team that he’s known to be today. As for how that happened, his history in the franchise reveals exactly what it took for Orion to evolve into Optimus Prime.

Orion Pax Was Rebuilt As Optimus Prime By Alpha Trion In The 1980s Cartoon

Alpha Trion chose Orion Pax and named his Optimus Prime

From the looks of things, Transformers One will be taking inspiration from The Transformers, the animated series that ran from 1984 to 1987. The show offered a detailed origin for Optimus Prime, revealing that he was formerly Orion Pax, a Cybertron storage yard worker involved in a romantic relationship with Ariel (a character who would later become Elita-One). His job resulted in an unfortunate, chance encounter with Megatron and the Decepticons, who wanted to steal the energy guarded at the storage yard. Orion Pax and Ariel’s futile attempts to stop Megatron culminated in his near-destruction.

Orion Pax would have died, had it not been for the intervention of Alpha Trion, an ancient Transformer who wound up in possession of Orion and Ariel’s bodies. According to Alpha Trion, he sensed something special in Orion and used his resources to repair him. In fact, Alpha Trion made him stronger than ever. Using a mystical and highly sought-after energy source known as the Matrix of Leadership, Alpha Trion completed Orion’s transformation into Orion Pax and in turn, set him on a collision course with Megatron.

How Optimus Prime’s Transformers One Origin Is Already Different From The Original

Transformers One is making a new origin story for Orion Pax

What’s shown in the Transformers One trailer bears a close resemblance to the cartoon’s take on Optimus Prime’s past. However, it’s clearly telling its own interpretation of Optimus’ story and appears to exist in a separate continuity to all other Transformers stories. The most obvious similarity, of course, is that Orion Prime will get his powers from Alpha Trion, but the circumstances vary considerably. Among the biggest changes is Megatron’s role. As opposed to the animated series where Megatron was responsible for Orion needing the transformation in the first place, Transformers One is having the future archenemies share in this process.

Both Elita-One and Orion were empowered by Alpha Trion in the cartoon, but Megatron was not on the receiving end of these abilities, as he already had his Decepticon powers at this juncture in the Transformers timeline. What’s more is the apparent seriousness of the situation, as Transformers One doesn’t suggest that Orion needed to be saved by Alpha Trion. Rather than be repaired by the ancient Transformer, it looks like Alpha Trion will simply imbue Orion Pax and his allies with energy, instantly giving them their powers. Since his plan obviously won’t be for Orion to fight Megatron, it can be assumed a different threat will be the reason for his transformation.

How Did Optimus Prime Get His Powers In Michael Bay’s Movies?

“Orion Pax” isn’t featured in the live-action movies

As for the live-action movie version of Optimus Prime, his origin is much more ambiguous. None of the films showcased any life he may have had as Orion Pax. Thanks to an appearance in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Alpha Trion existed in the movie canon, but had no confirmed role in Optimus Prime’s rise. Instead, his abilities – as well as those of all Transformers – seem to stem from the Allspark that gives their people life.

As for what makes Optimus in particular special, he’s established as the last descendant of an ancient and powerful line of Transformers called the Dynasty of Primes, an aspect of his character that’s also been utilized in previous Transformers adaptations. In other words, his importance and leadership role is owed partially to his heritage. Transformers One could also link Orion to the Dynasty of Primes, but whether or not that will come to pass remains to be seen.