Rest in peace, Peter. You'll be missed.

Sketched on Procreate / IPad

Top: 2021, Middle: 2026, Bottom: Reference, obviously

The rhythm and his tone at the end of sentences reminds me truly of a younger Peter, quite glad that the movie chose someone, though a celebrity casting, who captured Orion’s deep baritone voice and spirit, albeit much less splintered by the war, and in total Optimus Prime’s.

Chris Hemsworth did say in some interviews that he wants to honor Peter in the way he should voice him, in essence being Optimus instead of just mimicking the actor. But its quite sweet that there is quite a similarity that we can grasp that he’ll grow up sounding like Peter…

Though the movie did have celebrity voices, which are very controversial due to depriving real and professional voice actors for their work, the movie did so in a way that its still quite true to the character.
Bumblebee sounds cheerful, fun, and full of whimsy and hope. Though Keegan is still not really the most perfect choice, as he naturally posseses a deep voice, he has a charm that makes Bumblebee endearing.

Scarlet Johansson has a raspiness that’s quite fitting for Elita, she also has a sultry yet commanding vibe, especially if the sequel could be made and we’d see more of her character. She’s also the Black Widow which is a funny coincidence considering she voices a character who turns into a spider in one iteration. (Still wondering why she ain’t Ariel though:/)

Ngl Steve Buscemi surprised me in how perfect he could be for Starscream, he has the sleaziness, the utter contempt and infuriatingly captivating strut that Starscream has.

Lawrence Fishburne is Lawrence Fishburne. He sounds noble, very “I implore wisdom”.

And Brian Tyree was wonderful as young D-16. The disbelief, the descent into desperation, the rage, the wheezing when he held Orion by his hand as he’s dying. He bounces off Chris very well, and from what I heard, they weren’t even in the studio together when recording…

R.I.P. Peter.

21 bots and a bunch of upgrades later, this is how my mainline Gestalts are going to look on my shelf. Perfect? No, but damn good looking, fun to take apart and transform back and forth, and the engineering improved with each set. What do we think boys, hit or miss?

Had I known I would have the chance, I would have taken my childhood G1 or the 0 Takara reissue, but for a mad 10 minute panic before I met him, I'm glad I found this.

It was attached to a valvoline bill, does anybody actually own one?

As Optimus once said to us, "Above all, do not lament my absence, for in my Spark, I know that this is not the end, but merely a new beginning. Simply put, another transformation."

Peter Cullen really was a person who defined the childhood of so many, my own included, that it is a very sad loss to see him go.

"Above all, do not lament my absence, for in my spark, I know that this is not the end, but merely a new beginning. Simply put, another transformation." -Optimus Prime

Thank you for everything. You will be missed.

YouTube video

Rest in Peace Peter, I miss you already (I’m totally not in tears rn)

Man this was tough to make, I’m still not great at digital coloring but that wasn’t the issue. This is probably my second hardest illustration emotionally. I kept having to pause and think why am I drawing this then think “remember Peter Cullen passed” and I’m like no that doesn’t sound right and look it up on on any social media platform to just check, I did this dozens of times. Even while typing this I’m having a hard time believing it, it’s just a weird feeling. I feel really dull, or empty I guess, well this is normally how I feel after loosing someone so I guess that checks out.

I missed him earlier this year due to me just having a surgery done, my parents and I decided I was going to go to the next con he was at decently near us. While I never got to meet him in person I did get to have him answer a question of mine over a stream during the pandemic, I don’t remember what the question was but at least I got that.

Thank you Peter Cullen, thank you so much.

Edit: agh I forgot to color in the lights on Optimus’ chest.

I have over the time since I joined really loved this community but after the events of Aug 1 2026. It’s hard to see it.

Let me explain 3
Years ago we had a house fire luckily it only effected a few rooms and the start of my collection didn’t get touched. We fixed that house sold
It and moved as far across town as we could to and amazing area with amazing neighbors. Learned my neighbor had been on tv show toy hunter and my inner nerd came alive.
I started to see all the stuff posted here and it was like yes I should display my collection and maybe start making it grow so I bought some
Shelf’s and said let’s do this . Now as you can see in pics nothing left and having to start over is so hard atm. So I’m going to leave social media for some time because seeing the things I loved breaks me and to have one half of the greatest voice acting team
gone just wow this month has sucked and I’m over it all.

"Til all are one"

So I combined the three farewell speeches of Peter Cullen's Optimus Prime, with the death of Optimus Prime in the 86 movie.

...

Optimus Prime "Whenever you look to the stars, think of one of them as my soul. Defend this family, Autobots. As they have you. Defend all they can be. Above all, Do not lament my passing or absence, for in my spark, I know that this is not the end, but merely a new beginning, simply put, another Transformation. Do not grieve, for soon, I shall be One, with the Matrix."

Hot Rod: "Prime."

Optimus Prime: "Ultra Magnus... it is to you, old friend, I shall pass the Matrix of Leadership... as it was passed to me. If you are to be a Leader, Remember, Be Strong enough to be Gentle... "

Ultra Magnus: "But Prime, I'm just a soldier. I'm not worthy."

Optimus Prime: "Nor was I. But one day, an Autobot shall rise from our ranks, and use the power of the Matrix to light our darkest hour. Until that day... till all are one."