With Transformers One now in theaters, excitement about the Autobots, especially Orion Pax, is high. The trailers gave us hints before the movie’s release. “Before he was Optimus Prime, he was Orion Pax.” This line from the first trailer is a clever choice.
Chris Hemsworth plays Orion Pax, who eventually becomes Optimus Prime. Peter Cullen, the original voice of Optimus, has voiced the character for many years.
This line helps the audience understand that we are seeing a younger character who has not yet taken on the heavy responsibilities of being a Prime. This clarity helps manage expectations and reduces backlash about the casting.
If you are new to Transformers or have only seen some cartoons or films, you may wonder how Orion Pax fits into the Transformers story. Is this a new version of the tale or just a fresh take on the original? How does Orion Pax become the Optimus Prime we recognize?
Orion Pax Has Been Around Since the Beginning of Transformers
When the franchise started 40 years ago, Orion Pax first appeared in the second season of the 1984 Transformers cartoon. In this series, Orion Pax works at an energy factory. He is a fun-loving and easygoing character who enjoys his job, loves his girlfriend, and jokes with his friends.
A few Autobots travel back in time and see what started the war between Optimus Prime and Megatron (voiced by Frank Welker). Orion actually admires Megatron, especially because he can fly.
He feels excited when Megatron visits the factory and talks to him. However, this excitement is short-lived, as Megatron attacks the factory to steal energy and severely injures Orion.
After his injury, Orion is taken to Alpha Trion (voiced by John Stephenson), who rebuilds him into Optimus Prime. Since that moment, Optimus and Megatron have been enemies. It is important to note that Orion once admired Megatron, which adds depth to their story.
Transformers: Prime Shows a Different Orion Pax
In another animated series, Transformers: Prime, we see a different version of Orion and his connection with Megatron. In this show, Orion works as a quiet, organized clerk in The Hall of Records (Iacon Archives). He spends his time learning about Cybertron’s history.
As he reads, he realizes the corruption of Cybertron’s leaders and the mistreatment of other classes of bots. He is inspired by Megatronus, a gladiator with powerful ideas.
Over time, Megatronus (now Megatron) becomes more violent, wanting to take down the ruling class by force. When they stand before the High Council, people are moved by Orion’s words instead of Megatron’s. This pushes Megatron further down a dark path.
With war breaking out and Cybertron suffering from Dark Energon, Orion seeks the Core of Cybertron. When he finds it, he receives the Matrix of Leadership, which transforms him into Optimus Prime.
Transformers: Prime does not just provide a backstory. At the start of the second season, we see Orion in the present. After giving up the Matrix of leadership to defeat Unicron (voiced by John Noble), Optimus loses his memories and becomes Orion Pax again.
Megatron takes advantage of this, convincing Orion that Autobots are the real problem on Cybertron. Orion is then branded as a Decepticon and must decode Iacon records. He only realizes something is wrong when he encounters Starscream (voiced by Steve Blum), who he thought was dead.
This series shows that Orion has a serious side, but Ratchet (voiced by Jeffery Combs) mentions that Orion is somewhat like Jack (voiced by Josh Keaton)—responsible, reliable, and occasionally a troublemaker. Once again, we see Orion inspired by Megatron.
Orion Pax Doesn’t Make an Appearance in the Bayvers
If you have only seen Michael Bay’s Transformers films, you might not have noticed the quick mentions of Orion Pax. These films focus more on the present and the action between robots.
That is fine, as there is room for all stories in the Transformers universe! In the Bayverse films, we learn that Orion was a data clerk who became Optimus Prime with the Matrix of Leadership.
However, the IDW Transformers comics go deeper into the story of Orion Pax. In this version, Orion is a police officer who quickly becomes a captain. He frees Megatron after clearing his name from an assault charge.
Orion becomes interested in Megatron’s ideas about non-violent resistance and makes sure the officer who used excessive force against Megatron is punished. Over time, both Megatron and Orion change. Eventually, Orion sheds his identity to take on the Matrix of Leadership and fight for the people of Cybertron. Again, Orion is inspired by Megatron.
Transformers has always played with the idea that a single belief can change, leading to different and sometimes conflicting views. That is why we often see Orion and Megatron as friends before they become enemies. They share similar hopes for the future, but Megatron’s beliefs become more extreme.
When his methods fail, he resorts to violence, while Orion remains calm and steady. This difference is what defines Orion Pax. He is the foundation of Optimus Prime, a symbol of hope for a war-torn world.
He shows that even Optimus Prime was once someone small, possibly seen as a “nobody.” However, his bravery and desire to improve the world are unwavering, and he gains the power to create change.
It is exciting to see Orion Pax fully developed in Transformers One and show the changes in his relationship with Megatron (voiced by Brian Tyree Henry). It will be interesting to discover who Orion Pax is in this film and how it builds on all the past versions of Orion. The changes in his relationship with Megatron (voiced by Brian Tyree Henry).
Transformers One is now playing in theaters in the U.S.
