Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up

Sunday, June 10th, 2007 4:56AM CDT

Categories: Movie Related News, People News, Interviews
Posted by: Stormrider Views: 27,992

Topic Options: View Discussion · Sign in or Join to reply

Peter Cullen has been a busy guy. The other day, we reported here, here, and here regarding interviews with Peter Cullen. Well, now Ain’t It Cool News.com had a chance to sit down with “The Voice” of Optimus Prime and share with us some behind the scene information that we have not heard of yet.

When Cullen was asked about the Prime’s characteristics on the screen he had this to say:

Quint: Was there any difference in how you personally approached the character?

Peter Cullen: Not at all, no. Prime is Prime and yeah, he still has all the traits that were first initiated in the break down, the first character breakdowns that I read back 1983 or 84. He hasn’t changed one bit. Hey if it’s not broken, don’t fix it!

Quint: It looks like just the hugest, most crazy science fiction action thing… like nothing that we have ever really seen executed at this level, you know?

Peter Cullen: [Michael Bay] is responsible for so many great things, including giving Optimus Prime a sense of humor, which makes him more believable, working in the human relation situation along with the real people. Prime is actually charmingly funny. That’s a step in the right direction!

Quint: Yeah, well I think the very first thing the talkbackers and the readers of Ain't It Cool, the site that I write for, are going to want to know… is your opinion on the redesign of the robots, specifically Optimus. What do you think about flames on… you?

Peter Cullen: Well, number 1, just to see it, it’s overwhelming, there are changes, but everything in life changes… cars change every year and I think if one uses his imagination and you separate the sentiment and the history and the memories and tradition and that stuff, because nothing really stays the same anyway, you can actually justify Optimus Prime… a mechanical situation, going to advanced… advanced designs, which makes perfect sense to me, because he still maintains the core of character, with all the ingredients of leadership and that’s what made him an icon. I mean, the writers are fantastic and they have never gone away from that. They have maintained a very strong commitment with his qualities and they did a wonderful job. They’re brilliant, brilliant guys… wonderfully talented…

Click here to read the entire interview.

Credit(s): Ain't It Cool News.com, Phategod1

News Search

Got Transformers News? Let us know here!

Most Recent Transformers News

Void Rivals #9, Cobra Commander #5, Thundercats #4, X-Men 97 + more new comics and toys at the Seibertron Store

Posted 15 hours ago

Energon Universe, Transformers #8, Facsimiles, X-Men 97, New TF toys + more @ Seibertron Store

Posted 5 days ago

Click here to post your comment about this news story!

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157182)
Posted by KoH4711 on June 10th, 2007 @ 5:17am CDT

I've not had the chance to meet him in person like a lot of fans have, but it never ceases to amaze me, in these interviews, that Cullen comes across as a real easy-going, humble person. I've not heard Trans-fandom horror stories, but I have known plenty of people in fandom that have copped an attitude... and very few of them have had a part in creating a character as iconic as Prime.

A fun interview to read... I'm hoping Quint makes an audio copy of it, at some point. I'd love to hear the impression.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157203)
Posted by Gutsman Heavy on June 10th, 2007 @ 6:22am CDT

I wanna know what Welker thinks of movie megs!

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157223)
Posted by Fang Wolf on June 10th, 2007 @ 7:18am CDT

I'm with Gutsman Heavy!

I do think Mr Cullen sounds like a great guy though. ^^

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157232)
Posted by Stormrider on June 10th, 2007 @ 7:43am CDT

It would make my day if Cullen ever stopped by Seibertron.com and said "hi" to the fans.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157256)
Posted by skywarp-2 on June 10th, 2007 @ 8:20am CDT

Stormrider wrote:It would make my day if Cullen ever stopped by Seibertron.com and said "hi" to the fans.

I agree!!!!

Whats bothering me though is this:

Peter Cullen: "On another level, his size, compared to a human being is huge, so there will be minor subtleties in sound to compensate for that for that size and on a big screen outlook, you are going to feel that in the theater and it wouldn’t make sense to have Prime’s voice… I was a little hesitant at first when they said they were going to give me a fuller sound and then when I heard it I realized perfectly (what they meant). The only thing I cared about was did they maintain his characteristics and they did, so I felt great."

What changes to the voice was done?

I am totally eating my work day lunches at Burger King for the whole month of July, in honor of the great Peter Cullen and Optimus Prime!!

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157279)
Posted by Starscream227 on June 10th, 2007 @ 8:46am CDT

skywarp-2 wrote:

I am totally eating my work day lunches at Burger King for the whole month of July, in honor of the great Peter Cullen and Optimus Prime!!

Your liver bemoans this fact, regardless of Cullen's greatness. But what does an organ know?

As for the interview(s), hearing (or reading) the good things Peter has to say about Prime, at least, does help psych me up for the film...

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157285)
Posted by skywarp-2 on June 10th, 2007 @ 8:55am CDT

Starscream227 wrote:
skywarp-2 wrote:

I am totally eating my work day lunches at Burger King for the whole month of July, in honor of the great Peter Cullen and Optimus Prime!!

Your liver bemoans this fact, regardless of Cullen's greatness. But what does an organ know?

As for the interview(s), hearing (or reading) the good things Peter has to say about Prime, at least, does help psych me up for the film...

they sell salads now...but I will occasionally get a "BK stacker"...3 flame broiled all beef patties, cheese, cheesy special sauce, bacon, 2 buns.. no fries and a large diet coke!! still on a diet, high protein, with small carbs.. so my liver will be okay.. as long as I take the "stackers" in extreme moderation...

still worried about what Peter was saying about the size comparison and sound thing though.. anyone have a speculation as to what they did??

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157288)
Posted by Starscream227 on June 10th, 2007 @ 9:01am CDT

skywarp-2 wrote:still worried about what Peter was saying about the size comparison and sound thing though.. anyone have a speculation as to what they did??

Probably some deepening and resonate/distort stuff.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157295)
Posted by skywarp-2 on June 10th, 2007 @ 9:12am CDT

Starscream227 wrote:
skywarp-2 wrote:still worried about what Peter was saying about the size comparison and sound thing though.. anyone have a speculation as to what they did??

Probably some deepening and resonate/distort stuff.

I hope it doesn't detract from his Optimus Voice too much..But have you noticed that the Mechanical voice box sounds are very subtle lately.. BW was notorious for not having that twang in their voices, which always bothered me... I just hope that the Mechanical voice sound isn't a lost art.. it makes them seem more robotic and not a voiced actor cgi thing.. even though thats what they are, but the illusion should be maintained.. to a degree..

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157321)
Posted by Stormrider on June 10th, 2007 @ 9:47am CDT

If you watch/listen to the trailers, Prime has little more timber to his voice. (Is the timber the right word? :???:

)

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157337)
Posted by Autobobby1 on June 10th, 2007 @ 10:03am CDT

The exact same character except with a different design and a sense of humor? Sweet!

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157356)
Posted by King Grimrob on June 10th, 2007 @ 10:28am CDT

AMEN!

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157408)
Posted by Arcadius-Prime on June 10th, 2007 @ 11:02am CDT

Well it's not like he would saythe movie, uh... sucked duh. Anyway I can't wait to see Peter's Prime or is it Prime's Peter. Hee-hee

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157470)
Posted by Liege Evilmus on June 10th, 2007 @ 11:44am CDT

I'm sure Pete did a great job, but even if he didn't, whats he gonna say "This movie sucks"!?!

Only time I ever saw that happen was when Arnold wwent on Oprah to promote BatMan 4.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157501)
Posted by Jaw Crusher on June 10th, 2007 @ 12:01pm CDT

Stormrider wrote:If you watch/listen to the trailers, Prime has little more timber to his voice. (Is the timber the right word? )

I think it's 'tembor'. If Prime had more timber to his voice, he'd be a lumberjack. :-P

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157504)
Posted by Hanch Prime on June 10th, 2007 @ 12:04pm CDT

please no mention of Batman and Robin,

I may throw up. Batman Begins, Batman Begins Batman Begins, there I feel better.

Anyways back to the topic at hand, you can tell they have made cullens voice a little deeper. This is to make him feel more massive as he is a 20 foot tall robot. Makes sense to me, it still sounds Like prime. Mr. cullen is Prime.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157506)
Posted by Sentinel Pax on June 10th, 2007 @ 12:05pm CDT

Jaw Crusher wrote:I think it's 'tembor'. If Prime had more timber to his voice, he'd be a lumberjack.

*Prime looks at giant redwood*
"One shall stand...
*Forms energy axe from G1*
...one shall fall."

Sorry.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157520)
Posted by Autobotspitfire on June 10th, 2007 @ 12:16pm CDT

right from the mouth of god, this movie will rock.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157530)
Posted by Burnup Prime on June 10th, 2007 @ 12:24pm CDT

if Pete agrees completely with his own character, then that is a truly great reason forn any transformers fan to go see the movie

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (157556)
Posted by Starscream227 on June 10th, 2007 @ 12:50pm CDT

Arcadius-Prime wrote:Well it's not like he would saythe movie, uh... sucked duh. Anyway I can't wait to see Peter's Prime or is it Prime's Peter. Hee-hee

and I'm dead inside...

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (158010)
Posted by Spooner on June 10th, 2007 @ 7:37pm CDT

skywarp-2 wrote:
Starscream227 wrote:
skywarp-2 wrote:

I am totally eating my work day lunches at Burger King for the whole month of July, in honor of the great Peter Cullen and Optimus Prime!!

Your liver bemoans this fact, regardless of Cullen's greatness. But what does an organ know?

As for the interview(s), hearing (or reading) the good things Peter has to say about Prime, at least, does help psych me up for the film...

they sell salads now...but I will occasionally get a "BK stacker"...3 flame broiled all beef patties, cheese, cheesy special sauce, bacon, 2 buns.. no fries and a large diet coke!! still on a diet, high protein, with small carbs.. so my liver will be okay.. as long as I take the "stackers" in extreme moderation...

still worried about what Peter was saying about the size comparison and sound thing though.. anyone have a speculation as to what they did??

BK stackers are one of the guiltiest pleasures on this earth.

Anyway, I'm sure he means that there will be a lot of modulation of the sound (think General Greivous)to sound a lot more resonant and mechanical, rather than 'echo-y' like the cartoon sometimes sounded.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (158081)
Posted by Uncrazzimatic on June 10th, 2007 @ 8:50pm CDT

Liege Evilmus wrote:I'm sure Pete did a great job, but even if he didn't, whats he gonna say "This movie sucks"!?!

Only time I ever saw that happen was when Arnold wwent on Oprah to promote BatMan 4.

I guess there are some truths that you just can't like about, no matter what's at stake.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (158181)
Posted by Phategod1 on June 10th, 2007 @ 10:25pm CDT

Has anyone heard the news on Transformer Cartoon based on this movie will cullen do the voice and what production company is handling this.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (158186)
Posted by Roboto750 on June 10th, 2007 @ 10:30pm CDT

Glad to hear it from the man himself! Can't wait for the movie! :grin:

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (158285)
Posted by Anonymous on June 10th, 2007 @ 11:36pm CDT

Apex Convoy wrote:
Jaw Crusher wrote:I think it's 'tembor'. If Prime had more timber to his voice, he'd be a lumberjack.

*Prime looks at giant redwood*
"One shall stand...
*Forms energy axe from G1*
...one shall fall."

Sorry.

That was actually funny.

But let's hope the voice and the story are up to blockbuster levels. I hope this movie will kick ass...I hope.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (158464)
Posted by Stormrider on June 11th, 2007 @ 5:38am CDT

Phategod1 wrote:Has anyone heard the news on Transformer Cartoon based on this movie will cullen do the voice and what production company is handling this.

I wasn't aware they were doing a cartoon based on the movie. The only one I know is the one based on Heroes.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (159523)
Posted by Spooner on June 11th, 2007 @ 7:40pm CDT

I like this cat - seems like he knows the score.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (160016)
Posted by Elita One on June 12th, 2007 @ 1:39am CDT

I now have some faith in this movie. If Pete says it good then well I have to believe him. He better be truthful and not just saying it for the $.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (160075)
Posted by Autobot032 on June 12th, 2007 @ 3:44am CDT

Elita One wrote:I now have some faith in this movie. If Pete says it good then well I have to believe him. He better be truthful and not just saying it for the $.

He's not the type. He's honest about it.

He thought it was shitty when he and Welker got canned back in '86, he thought it was shitty that he never got the fanmail, and he thought it was shitty when he found out Welker wasn't getting his original part in this movie.

He's vocal about it, and honest. No worries, he ain't a mouthpiece for the money, besides, he could've turned the movie down, he didn't have to do it.

Re: Peter Cullen Gives Movie Prime – A Thumbs Up (162007)
Posted by Elita One on June 13th, 2007 @ 6:13am CDT

Didn't mean to question him or anything. I have nothing but respect for Peter Cullen mate.

If I won the lottery tomorrow I'd be over at this years Botcon to get my TF and DnD dvd set (Venger fan) signed in a instant.But it won't happen. All I can do is buy the autobiography when it is released instead.

But after reading what you said I now believe him.

Im shitty that Frank Welker not in the movie either. But we won't get into that right now...