Transformers One - Characters & Cast

His primary motivation is hope and an unwavering belief in a better future for everyone on Cybertron. He wants to prove that he and his fellow miners are "more than meets the eye" and seeks to restore their world so that all bots can live in freedom and equality, "together as one."

Orion Pax begins as a cheerful, somewhat naive and reckless young mining bot who dreams of a greater purpose. He idolizes the Primes and believes in the system run by Sentinel Prime. His journey forces him to confront the harsh reality of corruption and injustice. He evolves from an idealistic dreamer into a revolutionary leader who inspires hope in others. His defining moment is his willingness to sacrifice himself for his cause, which proves his worthiness to wield the Matrix of Leadership and become the wise, compassionate leader, Optimus Prime.

Initially, his motivation is to protect Orion and survive within the system. After learning the truth, his motivation becomes vengeance and the acquisition of power to impose his own order on Cybertron. He is driven by the belief that he must destroy the old, corrupt system by force and lead through strength to ensure no one is ever deceived again.

D-16 starts as Orion's loyal and protective friend, though more jaded and cynical about their place in society. The discovery of Sentinel's betrayal shatters his worldview. His sense of justice curdles into a blinding rage and a belief that only absolute power can prevent such deception from happening again. He rejects Orion's faith in the people and chooses a path of violent retribution, killing Sentinel and seizing power for himself. His arc is a tragic descent from a loyal brother to the tyrannical leader of the Decepticons, driven by a desire for a twisted form of justice.

His motivation is the preservation of his own power and luxurious lifestyle at any cost. He lies to an entire planet and enslaves a portion of its population to secretly pay tribute to the Quintessons, all while maintaining the pretense of being a noble leader searching for the lost Matrix of Leadership.

Sentinel Prime is introduced as the benevolent, charismatic leader of Iacon and the last of the legendary Primes. His arc is one of revelation, as the film peels back his heroic facade to expose him as a corrupt, self-serving tyrant. It's revealed he betrayed the other Primes, allied with the Quintessons, and created the cog-less caste system to maintain his power and pay off his secret allies. He doesn't develop so much as he is unmasked, serving as the catalyst for the ideological split between Orion and D-16.

Initially motivated by a sense of duty and a desire to regain her standing, her motivations shift toward a genuine belief in Orion's cause. She is driven by a desire for true justice and a functional, fair society, becoming a crucial strategic mind in the fight against Sentinel Prime.

Elita-1 is initially a high-ranking official who is demoted for associating with Orion. She is pragmatic and skeptical of Orion's idealistic quest at first. Throughout their journey, she grows to trust Orion and becomes a key figure in the rebellion, using her knowledge and leadership skills to aid their cause. By the end of the film, she is appointed as Optimus Prime's commander, having proven herself a capable and loyal leader in her own right.