peter cullen Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Like Peter Cullen, the actor who provides the voice for his on screen adversary, Optimus Prime, Frank Welker is a bona fide icon of the voice recording world. Not just because he has more than four decades of work and 600 individual credits to his name. Not just because yes, he provided the voice for Megatron, one of the most famous villains in cartoon history. Rather, it's because people know and identify him just from his voice, which may run contrary to the idea of actors disappearing into their roles, but it demonstrates that what he does is so distinctive and special it transcends the limitations of the medium.

Sci Fi Squad recently caught up with Welker via email to discuss his illustrious history in voice recording, in conjunction with Shout! Factory's Sept. 15 DVD release of Transformers Season Two, Volume One. In addition to talking about bringing Megatron to life, he talks about the technical and creative challenges of voice work, and reflects on a few of the roles that linger in the memories of movie and TV fans long after the characters left the screen.

Sci Fi Squad: I'll start with the obvious first: How did you get into voice acting, and by the time you performed on Transformers, was your work as Megatron initially just another job or was the process of getting the role distinctive in your career?

Look, I know these summer blockbuster trailers are designed to tease money out of your wallet, but sometimes you have to admit they do a bang-up job. Although I just finished watching the thing two minutes ago, I already know this brand spanking new Transformers trailer will place amongst the ten best of 2007. The friggin' thing is literally jam-packed with everything you've ever wanted out of a summer popcorn flick -- lots of sweet-looking special effects, badass good guys, wicked villains and, um, Shia LaBeof. Okay, Shia aside, Michael Bay finally gave us enough of a satisfying taste to know what it will be like once this monstrosity finally arrives in theaters. And if you have a few minutes, might I suggest crawling into a hole, throwing on some headphones and checking this thing out in HD. Trust me, it's worth it.

The only questionable aspect of the film (which is conveniently left out of this trailer) are the robot's voices. Granted, I'm sure the voice work is still not complete, but I do wonder why they decided to keep it out. Does Bay simply want fans to wait to hear Peter Cullen's Optimus Prime until their comfortably seated in the theater? Or were the voices kept out of the trailer on purpose; perhaps the powers that be were afraid they might hinder the hype? I'm not a mind reader; I have no idea. All I'm saying is that it seemed a tad odd. But regardless, you could watch this thing on mute from 100 yards a way and still feel compelled to shell out the 10 bucks on opening day. Starring Shia LaBeof, Megan Fox, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro and Jon Voight, Transformers will look to transform your life on July 4.

If there is one thing about the Transformers movie which compels me to see it above all my doubts and concerns, it is Peter Cullen voicing Optimus Prime. It is difficult to imagine a world wherein I would not watch a movie which featured Peter Cullen as Prime, and if such a world does exist it is certainly not the one you and I occupy. However, according to Peter Cullen himself in an interview with the Oklahoman, director Michael Bay wasn't really thinking of Cullen initially. Cullen credits the "enthusiasm and stubbornness" of the fans for bringing the role home where it belongs, saying Bay was expecting to cast "big Hollywood names" until the fervor of the fans convinced him to look at the man who originated the role. Imagine his surprise when he discovered Cullen was perfect for the role. Seriously, who would have guessed the man who is Optimus Prime in the mind of most fans (and has a good amount of other voice work on his resume) would be the perfect cast choice for Optimus Prime? In the end, though, kudos to Bay for hearing the fans, giving Cullen a chance and making the correct decision.

In an amusing anecdote, Cullen told the story of his audition, in which he read opposite the part of Ironside. Having voiced for Ironside as well, Cullen asked the script assistant if she would mind him taking over the role, and he went on to complete his audition reading for both characters. Peter Cullen, I love you too.

There is a wonderful little interview with long time voice actor Peter Cullen over at USA Today's Pop Candy. In it, Cullen discusses his introduction to voice acting, his early roles, and his years of work with the Transformers series which ultimately resulted in a voice role in the new Transformers film. Cullen said he was never really aware of the show's popularity back when he first worked on it, and apparently never saw a single piece of fan mail. He isn't suggesting fans didn't send them, of course, he just doesn't know who at the studio took them in and dealt with them. Ergo, he was shocked and extremely pleased when the geek cry went out across the nation for his casting in the new film. He'd heard of the film happening, and the next thing he knew, his name was being championed all over the internet. This lead to a meeting with director Michael Bay, and once he convinced Bay he could in fact act, Cullen landed the role of Optimus Prime for one more time. I personally feel as though we geeks on the web have done a very good thing here, so give yourselves a big round of applause -- you brought the real Optimus Prime back.

Ok, so you know how everyone has been freaking out about who is going to voice Optimus Prime and his friends in Michael Bay's Transformers? Well, worry no longer, friends: It was announced at ComicCon today that Peter Cullen, the man who was Optimus Prime in the cartoon, will be returning for the movie! (I guess he came through that audition ok.) Can I get a hell yes? And can it possibly be that Bay isn't going to screw this up? While I'm not personally ready to go quite that far yet, I'm guessing that this decision, quite reasonably, will go a long way towards getting the fanboy crowd in his corner.

Next question: Will the rest of the original cast be returning, as well?