Summary
- The Transformers franchise relies on iconic characters like Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Bumblebee, so they are often resurrected after death to maintain interest.
- Transformers have various ways to cheat death, including repairing their half-machine, half-organic bodies and using powerful artifacts like the Matrix of Leadership or the AllSpark.
- Examples of resurrection include Optimus Prime being revived in the G1 continuity through the powers of the Matrix of Leadership, and Megatron being brought back by stealing a shard of the AllSpark.
The Transformers movies are no strangers to resurrection, the durable Cybertronians frequently returning for repeat appearances after their death. Ever since the first Transformers movie, Decepticons and Autobots alike that have fallen in battle have been revived through various means to live another day. Though this may somewhat diminish the impact of their deaths, many of the series' most iconic robots in disguise are too crucial to the lore to stay dead for long, the franchise being reliant upon the appearance of big names like Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Bumblebee to generate interest.
There are several methods by which the titular cybernetic beings have been able to cheat death. Being half-organic, half-machine, the Transformers' physiology is remarkably resilient, being able to be repaired back to health in order to recover from even the most grievous of wounds. This means that both Autobots and Decepticons have a variety of avenues to take in order to resurrect their comrades. Of course, the presence of powerful artifacts like the Matrix of Leadership or the AllSpark also provide considerable esoteric power strong enough to bring a Cybertronian back even from certain death.
6 Optimus Prime Is Revived In The G1 Continuity
The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
The death of Optimus Prime in the original was one of the most shocking events in 80s Saturday morning cartoon history. After succumbing to his wounds following an intense firefight with Megatron, Optimus Prime died (for the first time) in the Generation 1 continuity. The backlash of Optimus Prime's death shocked Hasbro executives, who mistakenly believed they could get away with killing off old characters in the film in order to make room for new Transformers (and new toys for the audience to buy), only to be met with the sound of child fans crying in theaters (via Denofgeek.com).
Though he stayed dead for the rest of the movie, Optimus Prime was soon to be revived. In season 3 of the original show, following the release of The Transformers: The Movie, Optimus Prime is triumphantly revived by the Quintessons thanks to the powers of the Matrix of Leadership. The iconic scene in which he returns, set to the tune of Stan Bush's original track "The Touch", also featured in the film, is etched into the minds of many millennial Transformers fans, even if it's somewhat undermined by Prime's second death and resurrection later on in the series.
5 Michael Bay's Optimus Prime Is Also Revived
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Perhaps seeking to recapture the fervor of Transformers fans upon witnessing Optimus Prime's death and subsequent resurrection in the original series, Michael Bay was quick to incorporate the same storyline by the time the second live-action movie rolled around. In Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, Optimus once again finds himself a goner at the hands of his old rival Megatron, the Decepticon warlord this time stabbing him through the chest. Though he puts up a valiant effort in the amazing 3-against-1 forest fight, he ultimately isn't able to survive the ordeal.
Fortunately, Sam Witwicky was able to escape the ordeal thanks to Prime's sacrifice, and protect the Matrix of Leadership. Reuniting with Optimus Prime's body, which had been transported by the Autobots to Egypt, Sam was able to channel the powers of the Matrix of Leadership to revive Optimus, allowing him to defeat the Fallen after an upgrade from the parts of his mortally wounded ally, Jetfire. At the end of the day, this brief death barely registers as a blip in the long succession of Optimus Prime's many deaths.
4 Megatron Is Resurrected After A Fatal Blow
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Optimus wouldn't be the only Transformers leader to be brought back from the dead in Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. Though his grisly defeat at the hands of Optimus at the end of the first film left Megatron inert and buried at the bottom of Earth's oceans, the Decepticons manage to revive him thanks to their stealing of a shard of the AllSpark. The fact that even a mere portion of the artifact's power is capable of reviving the Decepticon leader just goes to show how powerful of a tool it truly is. Unfortunately for Megatron, he returns only to be killed once again in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
3 Megatron Returns Once More As Galvatron
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Despite already dying twice, series staple Megatron wouldn't be shaken off by the Autobots so easily. Transformers: Age of Extinction sees Megatron's corpse being utilized by the human corporation, K.S.I. industries, in an attempt to manufacture and control artificial Transformers. Using samples of Megatron's brain, the company creates the powerful Galvatron, only to lose control of him as Megatron's latent consciousness takes over. Galvatron presents an interesting "Ship of Theseus" dilemma for the Transformers universe, being caught halfway between being his own unique being and a reincarnation of Megatron.
2 Bumblebee Returns At The Last Minute To Turn The Tide Of Battle
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
Not to be outdone by his mentor in the heroic death department, franchise staple and Autobot second-in-command Bumblebee was rewarded with his first on-screen death and resurrection in the sequel to his eponymous prequel film, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Killed off early on the film, Bumblebee's death is meant to sell the threat of Scourge, a Transformer who is neither Autobot nor Decepticon, but is incredibly dangerous nonetheless. Bumblebee gets a second lease on life after the Energon key is activated, pulsing with powerful energy burst strong enough to revive him from halfway across the globe.
1 Scrapper And Junkheap Are Revived Off-Screen As Canon Fodder
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
Big names like Optimus Prime and Megatron aren't the only ones to be granted the honor of resurrection in the Transformers movies. Occasionally, minor characters are brought back for brief scenes despite seemingly being killed, apparently revived off-screen. Scrapper is a Constructicon, being one of the Decepticons to make up the powerful Devestator, who returns only to be slain again in one of Optimus Prime's most brutal kills. Meanwhile, Junkheap is another manufactured Transformer made by K.S.I., alongside Galvatron, who conversely gets to retire in Cuba, a rare happy ending for the series' titular robot warriors.
