Transformers: Rise of the Beasts: What Are the Maximals?

Optimus Primal in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Credit: Paramount Pictures


Optimus Primal in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Credit: Paramount Pictures

Over the weekend, a trailer for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts was released, giving its loyal fans something to be excited about. This is the seventh live-action movie we're getting ever since Michael Bay released the firs Transformers movie.

Apart from a new cast, the trailer also gave us a glimpse of a gigantic gorilla robot, also known as the maximals. The question now is what the heck is that thing?

If you're confused with what a maximal is too, we've got the answers you're looking for.

When Is Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Coming Out?

Optimus Prime in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
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Credit: Paramount Pictures

The release date of the movie, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, was announced alongside the trailer's launch. Fans will have to wait until June 9, 2023 for the return of their favorite robots.

The movie will be available in select theaters.

What Is Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Story About?

Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
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Credit: Paramount Pictures

Back in June 2021, director Steven Caple Jr. revealed some details of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Although we meet new characters and a bunch of new robots, we learn that Optimus Prime is still the main character of the new film.

The movie is set in 1994, which means that it is just a few years since Bumblebee's first appearance. The Bay-backed Transformers series doesn't happen until a few years later, which explains the presence of Optimus Primal in the film.

According to producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura:

"He's new to earth. He doesn't have a connection to earth the way he does when we met him in the Bay films and in the animation series, where he's already a protector of earth. In this film, it's forming why he has a link to humanity and why he has a link to earth, and that's emotional."

Who’s Part of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Cast?

Bumblebee and Cheetor in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
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Credit: Paramount Pictures

One important thing to know about the new Transformers: Rise of the Beasts movie is that it has a host of new cast members. While we'll still see the usual Autobots and Decepticons, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts introduces us to the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons.

The cast of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is comprised of the following:

  • Peter Cullen (as the voice of Optimus Prime)
  • Ron Perlman (as the voice of Optimus Primal)
  • Pete Davidson (as the voice of Mirage)
  • Liza Koshy (as the voice of Arcee)
  • Cristo Fernández (as Wheeljack)
  • John DiMaggio (as Stratosphere/Transit)
  • David Sobolov (as the voice of Rhinox/Battletrap)
  • Michelle Yeoh (as the voice of Airazor)
  • Peter Dinklage (as the voice of Scourge)
  • Michaela Jae Rodriguez (as Nightbird)
  • Anthony Ramos (as Noah Diaz)
  • Dominique Fishack (as Elena Wallace)
  • Tobe Nwigwe (as Reek)

What Exactly Are the Maximals in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?

Liza Koshy as the voice of Arcee in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
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Credit: Paramount Pictures

In a nutshell, the Maximals are the descendants of the Autobots. But unlike the Autobots, the Maximals adopt the appearance of animals. This explains why Optimus Primal, the leader of the Maximals, looks like a giant robo-gorilla instead of a massive truck like Optimus Prime.

According to the director, Optimus Primal is "the beating heart to the Maximals. If you look at what Prime is to the Autobots, he's that to the Maximals. He's older by design but has wisdom that goes beyond us. He takes care of his own."

The other Maximals we meet in the trailer include the following:

  • Cheetor - a giant robo-cheetah who is Bumblebee's partner
  • Rhinox - a robo-rhinoceros
  • Airazor - a giant peregrine falcon

What Are the Predacons In in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?

Optimus Prime, Optimus Primal Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
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Credit: Paramount Pictures

The ancestors of the Decepticons are known as the Predacons, who appear more reptilian in the film. The predacons will be battling the Maximals in the film.

Is There a Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Trailer?

Anthony Ramos as Noah Diaz in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
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Credit: Paramount Pictures

Yes, the trailer for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts got released last December 2, 2022. You can watch it here:

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will be released on June 9, 2023.

RELATED: Ranking the Transformers Movies From Worst to First


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