Power of the Primes#Animated web series
{{Short description|2018 American television series}}
{{Infobox toy
| name = Power of the Primes
| image = Transformers - Power of the Primes logo.png
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| othernames =
| type = Action figure
| inventor =
| company = Hasbro
| country = United States
| from =
| to =
| materials =
| features =
| slogan = Anything is possible and everything is at stake when the power of the Primes is unleashed!
| website = https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/power-of-the-primes
}}
Power of the Primes is the third and final installment of the Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy, a toyline and transmedia series created by Hasbro as part of the Transformers franchise. It consists of the toy line, as well as the animated web series of the same name.
Development of the franchise began in November 2016 with the announcement of an animated web series by Machinima, based on the upcoming toyline. In January 2017, Hasbro held a fan-vote to decide which character would become the next Prime in the franchise. In February, it was decided that Optimus Primal would become the next Prime.
Development
Power of the Primes was first announced on November 29, 2016.{{cite web|last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |title='Transformers' Unveils Endgame in Its 'Prime Wars Trilogy' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/transformers-unveils-endgame-prime-wars-trilogy-950981 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227010849/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/transformers-unveils-endgame-prime-wars-trilogy-950981 |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=November 29, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Sokol |first1=Tony |title=Machinima And Hasbro Team to Continue Transformers Animated Web Series |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/prime-wars-trilogy/260322/machinima-and-hasbro-team-to-continue-transformers-animated-web-series |website=Den of Geek! |publisher=Dennis Publishing |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228093611/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/prime-wars-trilogy/260322/machinima-and-hasbro-team-to-continue-transformers-animated-web-series |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |date=November 29, 2016 |url-status=live}} Hasbro announced that it would once again partner with Machinima—after having previously worked with them on the animated web series adaptation of Transformers: Combiner Wars—to produce the adaptations for Transformers: Titans Return and Transformers: Power of the Primes.{{cite web|last1=Trumbore |first1=Dave |title='Transformers' Animated Web Series 'The Prime Wars Trilogy' to Continue on Machinima |url=https://collider.com/transformers-prime-wars-trilogy-web-series/ |website=Collider |publisher=Complex Media |access-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227010840/http://collider.com/transformers-prime-wars-trilogy-web-series/ |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=November 29, 2016 |url-status=live}} Eric Calderon, showrunner of Combiner Wars, was confirmed to have returned for both Titans Return and Power of the Primes.{{cite magazine|last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=Machinima & Hasbro Reteam To Develop Final Two Transformers Prime War Trilogy Chapters |url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/transformers-prime-wars-trilogy-set-titans-return-power-of-the-primes-machinima-1201861119/ |magazine=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227010826/http://deadline.com/2016/11/transformers-prime-wars-trilogy-set-titans-return-power-of-the-primes-machinima-1201861119/ |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=November 29, 2016 |url-status=live}}
In January 2017, Hasbro created a poll allowing fans to vote which Transformer will become the next Prime. The vote occurred in two stages. During the first, fans voted for the leaders of three different personality factions: honor, order, and chaos. Honor was represented by Arcee, Ultra Magnus, and Hound; Order by Megatron, Star Saber, and Shockwave; and Chaos by Thunderwing, Optimus Primal, and an Unknown Evil (Deathsaurus).{{cite web|last1=Fahey |first1=Mike |title=Transformers Fans Are Voting For The Next Leader Of Cybertron |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/01/transformers-fans-are-voting-for-the-next-leader-of-cybertron/ |website=Kotaku Australia |publisher=Univision Communications |access-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227131532/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/01/transformers-fans-are-voting-for-the-next-leader-of-cybertron/ |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=January 27, 2017 |url-status=dead}} The winners of the first round were Ultra Magnus, Star Saber and Optimus Primal, advancing into the second round alongside the Unknown Evil as a wildcard.{{cite web|last1=Fahey |first1=Mike |title=One Of These Four Transformers Will Be The Next Leader Of Cybertron |url=https://kotaku.com/one-of-these-four-transformers-will-be-the-next-leader-1791693973 |website=Kotaku |publisher=Univision Communications |access-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227131542/https://kotaku.com/one-of-these-four-transformers-will-be-the-next-leader-1791693973 |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=January 27, 2018 |url-status=live}} The poll ended a month later on February 18, and Optimus Primal was chosen as the next Prime.{{cite web|last1=Fahey |first1=Mike |title=The Next Leader Of Cybertron Is A Total Beast |url=https://kotaku.com/the-next-leader-of-cybertron-is-a-total-beast-1792517540 |website=Kotaku |publisher=Univision Communications |access-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227132505/https://kotaku.com/the-next-leader-of-cybertron-is-a-total-beast-1792517540 |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=February 18, 2017 |url-status=live}}
At the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con on July 20, Hasbro revealed during their panel some of the figures of the toyline.{{cite web|last1=Sheehan |first1=Gavin |title=Megatron Takes Over The Hasbro Transformers Panel, Shows Us New Figures |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/07/20/megatron-takes-hasbro-transformers-panel-shows-us-new-figures/ |website=Bleeding Cool |publisher=Avatar Press|access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227133337/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/07/20/megatron-takes-hasbro-transformers-panel-shows-us-new-figures/ |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=July 20, 2017 |url-status=live}} The figures shown were those of Liege Maximo, Dreadwind, Blackwing, Starscream, Jazz and Rodimus Prime. During Hasbro's first HasCon fan convention in September, the new Combiner Volcanicus was revealed. The combiner is composed of the five Dinobots: Grimlock, Slug, Sludge, Snarl and Swoop.{{cite web|last1=Fahey |first1=Mike |title=Transformers' Dinobots Finally Combine To Form A Giant Robot |url=https://kotaku.com/transformers-dinobots-finally-combine-to-form-a-giant-r-1806035258 |website=Kotaku |publisher=Univision Communications |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227133800/https://kotaku.com/transformers-dinobots-finally-combine-to-form-a-giant-r-1806035258 |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=September 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Arrant |first1=Chris |title=Meet Transformers' New Dinobot Combiner, Volcanicus |url=https://www.newsarama.com/36354-meet-transformers-new-dinobot-combiner-volcanicus.html |work=Newsarama |publisher=Purch Group |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227133849/https://www.newsarama.com/36354-meet-transformers-new-dinobot-combiner-volcanicus.html |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=September 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}
=Controversy=
In November 2017, a fan noticed that a tiny print found on the vehicle mode of Jazz featured scribbles that, when translated from the Cybertronian alphabet, read out "MAGA", which is an abbreviation for "Make America Great Again", the slogan of both former President Ronald Reagan and then-President Donald Trump.{{cite web|last1=Whitbrook |first1=James |title=Uh, Is This Transformers Toy a Trump Supporter? |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/uh-is-this-transformers-toy-a-trump-supporter-1820555691 |website=io9, Gizmodo |publisher=Univision Communications |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227134521/https://io9.gizmodo.com/uh-is-this-transformers-toy-a-trump-supporter-1820555691 |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=November 17, 2017 |url-status=live}} Hasbro soon released a statement that the issue had been investigated and that a vendor had placed the acronym without authorization. The company also clarified that they are addressing the issue with the vendor and that they "do not intend for [their] products to carry political messages, apologiz[ing] to anyone who was offended by this message".{{cite web|last1=Glass |first1=Joe |title=New Transformers Jazz Toy Seems To Support President Donald Trump |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/11/18/new-transformers-jazz-toy-seems-support-president-donald-trump/ |website=Bleeding Cool |publisher=Avatar Press |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227134551/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/11/18/new-transformers-jazz-toy-seems-support-president-donald-trump/ |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |date=November 18, 2017 |url-status=live}}
Animated web series
{{Infobox television
| name = Transformers: Power of the Primes
| image = Transformers_Power_of_the_Primes,_official_poster,_Hasbro_and_Machinima,_Feb_2018.jpg
| image_upright = 0.8
| caption = Official teaser poster featuring Optimus Primal
| genre = Science fiction
| based_on = {{Based on|Transformers|Hasbro and Takara Tomy}}
| developer = F. J. DeSanto
Adam Beechen
Jamie Iracleanos
| writer = F. J. DeSanto
Adam Beechen
Jamie Iracleanos
| director = Yuzo Sato
| voices = {{Plainlist|
}}
| open_theme =
| end_theme =
| composer =
| country = United States
Japan
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 10
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer =
| producer =
| runtime = 10–12 minutes
| company = Machinima, Inc.
Hasbro Studios
Tatsunoko Production
| network = go90 (U.S.)
Tumblr (worldwide)
| first_aired = {{Start date|2018|5|1}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2018|7|3}}
| related = Transformers: Titans Return
Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy
}}
Transformers: Power of the Primes is an animated web series developed by F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen and Jamie Iracleanos, and produced by Machinima, Inc. and Hasbro Studios, with the animation provided by Tatsunoko Production. It is the final installment of the Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy series, being the direct sequel to Transformers: Titans Return. The series premiered on May 1, 2018 in the United States on go90, and on Tumblr internationally.
In the aftermath of the Titans' conflict that concluded with Optimus Prime's death, Megatron and the rest of the Transformers must stand together in order to stop Megatronus from wiping out their species forever. During their search for the Requiem Blaster, more mysteries about Cybertron's past will be uncovered, and a new Prime will be chosen.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/02/17/ron-perlman-mark-hamill-transformers-power-primes/|title=First Teaser Poster for Transformers: Power of the Primes|website=Bleeding Cool|date=February 17, 2018|access-date=February 18, 2018}}
= Casting =
On January 9, 2018, it was announced that Mark Hamill, who had previously voiced Megatronus in Transformers: Titans Return, would resume his role for Transformers: Power of the Primes. It was also confirmed that Ron Perlman would voice Optimus Primal, after the character was voted by fans to become the next Prime, while Gregg Berger also reprised his role as Grimlock in addition to Volcanicus, the combined robot form of the five Dinobots.{{cite web|last1=McMillan |first1=Graeme |title=Mark Hamill, Ron Perlman Join 'Transformers' Animated Series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mark-hamill-ron-perlman-join-transformers-animated-series-1073130 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202234409/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mark-hamill-ron-perlman-join-transformers-animated-series-1073130 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |date=January 9, 2018 |url-status=live}} Other voice actors include Jaime King, Mikey Way, Peter Cullen, and Samoa Joe. Judd Nelson, Kari Wahlgren and Wil Wheaton also reprised their roles.{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=Josh |title=Mark Hamill and Ron Perlman join voice cast of upcoming Transformers animated miniseries |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/mark-hamill-ron-perlman-join-voice-cast-transformers-miniseries |publisher=Syfy |access-date=March 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109233546/http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/mark-hamill-ron-perlman-join-voice-cast-transformers-miniseries |archive-date=January 9, 2018 |date=January 9, 2018 |url-status=live}}
==Voice cast==
{{Main|List of Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy characters}}
The series features returning actors and newcomers as part of the cast.{{Cite web|url=https://lrmonline.com/news/mark-hamill-and-ron-perlman-join-machinima-hasbros-transformers-prime-wars-trilogy/|title=Mark Hamill And Ron Perlman Join Machinima/Hasbro's Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy|website=lrmonline.com|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=January 13, 2018}}
- Gregg Berger as Grimlock and Volcanicus
- Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime
- Rob Dyke as Devastator
- Charlie Guzman as Menasor
- Mark Hamill as Megatronus / The Fallen
- Nuufolau Joel "Samoa Joe" Seanoa as Predaking
- Jaime King as Solus Prime
- Jason Marnocha as Megatron
- Judd Nelson as Hot Rod / Rodimus Cron / Rodimus Unicronus and Unicron
- Matthew Patrick as Computron and Swoop
- Ron Perlman as Optimus Primal / Optimal Optimus
- Patrick Seitz as Overlord
- Frank Todaro as Sludge and Starscream
- Abby Trott as Windblade
- Kari Wahlgren as Victorion
- Mikey Way as Snarl
- Wil Wheaton as Perceptor
= Episodes =
{{Episode table
|background=#8C3D4A
|overall=
|season=
|title=
|director=
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|airdate=
|airdateR=
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|country=US
|episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 19
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = The Swamp
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Sato
| WrittenBy = F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|1}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Megatronus hunts for the Requiem Blaster as we learn about its mysterious past. Elsewhere, Megatron and his team are also searching for the weapon, hoping to get to it first, when they encounter Grimlock and his fellow Dinobots.
| LineColor = 8C3D4A
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 20
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Volcanicus
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Sato
| WrittenBy = F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|8}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Megatron awakens miles away to find a mysterious structure. Curious, he makes his way there, leaving his team to fend for themselves. Vulnerable without him, the team is on the brink of defeat at the hands of Volcanicus when another threat arrives hoping to destroy them.
| LineColor = 8C3D4A
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 21
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Without Warning
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Sato
| WrittenBy = F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|15}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Still without Megatron, the team must now fend off both Volcanicus and Predaking. Meanwhile, Megatronus arrives at the Well of Sparks to forge a new device that will help him accomplish his nefarious plan.
| LineColor = 8C3D4A
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 22
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Primal
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Sato
| WrittenBy = F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|22}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = With our heroes cornered, Predaking demands Victorion hand over the Enigma of Combination while unaware that Megatronus took away the Enigma of Combination. Inside the mysterious dome, Megatron finds the Requiem Blaster, but is confronted by a mysterious figure guarding it.
| LineColor = 8C3D4A
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 23
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Athenaeum Sanctorum
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Sato
| WrittenBy = F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|29}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Hot on the heels of our heroes, Overlord and Rodimus Cron confront the Dinobots and gain vital information as to the teams whereabouts. Meanwhile, the team learns the tragic fate of one of the Thirteen.
| LineColor = 8C3D4A
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 24
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Countdown
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Sato
| WrittenBy = F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|6|5}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Overlord and Rodimus Cron finally confront the protagonists, while Optimus Primal makes a tough decision that changes the course of the battle. Alas, having found Megatron, Overlord is determined to get his revenge.
| LineColor = 8C3D4A
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 25
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Consequences
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Sato
| WrittenBy = F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|6|12}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Megatron finally figures out Megatronus’ plan, but fears it may be too late to stop him when Megatronus arrives to claim the Requiem Blaster for himself.
| LineColor = 8C3D4A
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 26
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Collision Course
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Sato
| WrittenBy = F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|6|19}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = With the Requiem Blaster in his possession, Megatronus launches his now completed device, draining the sparks of Transformers everywhere. With their fate at risk, our heroes must fight Megatronus one last time.
| LineColor = 8C3D4A
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 27
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9
| Title = Megatronus Unleashed
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Sato
| WrittenBy = F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|6|26}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = To save their race, our heroes must destroy Megatronus’ machine, but first they must fend off a possessed Rodimus Cron.
| LineColor = 8C3D4A
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 28
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10
| Title = Saga's End
| DirectedBy = Yuzo Sato
| WrittenBy = F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|7|3}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = The final battle between Megatronus and the Transformers leads to unforeseen consequences that will have a startling impact on Cybertron and the entire universe.
| LineColor = 8C3D4A
}}
}}
Comic book
According to John Barber, editor of IDW Publishing,{{cite web |title=IDW Welcomes John Barber as Senior Editor |url=https://www.cbr.com/idw-welcomes-john-barber-as-senior-editor/ |website=Comic Book Resources |publisher=Valnet Inc. |access-date=March 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180308125748/https://www.cbr.com/idw-welcomes-john-barber-as-senior-editor/ |archive-date=March 8, 2018 |date=July 12, 2011 |url-status=live }} the ongoing Transformers comics published by the company will not feature a crossover event based on Power of the Primes.{{cite tweet|last=Barber |first=John |user=TheJohnBarber |number=969079746859450369 |date=March 1, 2018 |title=I don't really know anything about POTP. At one time the TF comics were going to do a tie-in with the then-not-yet-named third Prime Wars thing, which worked out because RID/TF/OP had been building to the Onyx Prime story since issue, what, RID 28? Something like that. |link=yes |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url=https://archive.today/20180308130731/https://twitter.com/TheJohnBarber/status/969079746859450369 }}{{cite tweet|last=Barber |first=John |user=TheJohnBarber |number=969080010542784512 |date=March 1, 2018 |title=But somewhere along the line, the plan for an explicit, named, tie-in got dropped. The Onyx Prime story was always going to happen, though. Like, I pitched the storyline a loooooong time ago. |link=yes |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url=https://archive.today/20180308130910/https://twitter.com/TheJohnBarber/status/969080010542784512 }} IDW had previously published crossover events based on Combiner Wars{{cite web |title=Transformers: Combiner Wars |url=https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/transformers-combiner-wars/ |publisher=IDW Publishing |access-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709083839/https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/transformers-combiner-wars/ |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |date=August 2015 |url-status=live}} and Titans Return.{{cite web|title=Transformers: Titans Return |url=https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/transformers-titans-return/ |publisher=IDW Publishing |access-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806225719/https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/transformers-titans-return/ |archive-date=August 6, 2017 |date=January 2017 |url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official|https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/power-of-the-primes}}
{{Transformers}}
{{Transformers animated series}}
{{Allspark and Entertainment One}}
{{Yūzō Satō}}
{{Portal bar|United States|Japan|Toys|Television|Cartoon|Science Fiction}}
Category:Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy
Category:2010s American adult animated television series
Category:2018 web series debuts
Category:2018 web series endings
Category:American adult animated action television series
Category:American adult animated web series
Category:American anime-influenced animated television series