Transformers Onefeatures Starscream as one of the story’s main villains, reflecting the character’s legacy in the franchise. By the time ofTransformers One’s ending, the film somewhat reinvents the origins of the titular alien robots, delving into the earliest days of the conflict that erupts between the Autobots and Decepticons. While much of the film will be rooted in the emotional conflict that emerges between Orion Pax/Optimus Prime and D-16/Megatron - played by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry respectively inTransformers One’s voice cast- the film will also include other important characters in the franchise.
The trailers for the film teased as much, withTransformers One’s new Optimus Prime origin storyalso including iconic titular robots like Bumblebee, Elita-1, Sentinel Prime, Soundwave, and Shockwave. AsTransformers One’s Autobots and Decepticonsbecome what is known of them from the franchise at large, many familiar characters pop up.One such character is Starscream, an iconic Decepticon who serves as one ofTransformers One’s prime antagonists, with the animated film taking a fresh approach to the character that plays into the character’s long history.
Starscream’s History In Transformers Explained
Starscream Has Been A Part Of Transformers Since The Original Series
Transformers Oneincluding Starscream as a central villain builds on his enduring role in the franchise. Debuting in the 1983 Diaclone toy catalog before leaping from the Marvel ComicsTransformers#1 and the original Transformers animated series,Starscream is typically portrayed as one of Megatron’s leading lieutenants among the Decepticons. The character is often shown to change into a fighter jet, giving the Decepticons a key aerial agent. One of his defining characteristics has always been his craven and treacherous nature, which often sees Starscream secretly (or not so secretly) working to undermine and overthrow Megatron.
Starscream has become one of the most consistent presences in the franchise and has sometimes overtaken threats like Megatron to become a dangerous enemy for the Transformers…
Starscream has been a consistent presence in theTransformersfranchisesince his debut, often serving as a constant antagonist for the Autobots and their allies. The original incarnation of the character featured in the world ofBeast Wars. He’s also been featured in subsequent animated shows likeTransformers Armada,Transformers: Animated,Transformers: Prime,Transformers: Cyberverse, andTransformers: EarthSpark, as well as several video games, comic books, novels, and assorted other media. Starscream has become one of the most consistent presences in the franchise and has sometimes overtaken threats like Megatron to become a dangerous enemy for the Transformers to overcome.
Has Starscream Appeared In Past Transformers Movies?
How Starscream Factored Into Several Other Transformers Movies
Starscream has played a part in several films in the franchise, including thelive-actionTransformersmovie timeline. Starscream plays an important role in 1986’sThe Transformers: The Movie, betraying Megatron at a crucial junction before being dispatched by Galvatron. In the live-actionTransformersfilms, Starscream was one of the Decepticons who swore loyalty to Megatron. He was one of the few Decepticons to survive 2007’sTransformers, later going on to help the Fallen create a new army in its sequel. The character was brought down once and for all inTransformers: Dark of the Moon, killed by Sam Witwicky.
Sam uses a Boomstick devised by the Autobot engineer Que (Wheeljack) to destroy Starscream, blowing up the latter’s head.
Notably,Starscream wasn’t revived in the subsequent films and has only made cameos in other films likeTransformers: The Last KnightandBumblebee. Based on his film history, Starscream is usually a minor villain who helps flesh out the forces of evil in their respective stories and inevitably tries to usurp power and authority from Megatron. WhereTransformers Oneis concerned though, the character takes somewhat of a more active role in the film’s antagonistic storyline.
Steve Buscemi Voices Starscream In Transformers One
One Of Hollywood’s Best Character Actors Is Playing Starscream
InTransformers One,Steve Buscemi voices the character of Starscream. Buscemi has been responsible for playing many characters over an illustrious career, ranging from comedic supporting characters to devious villains. He’s earned several awards over the years, including a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Buscemi’s role as Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson in the HBO period crime-dramaBoardwalk Empirehighlighted his talent for playing villains and he has also lent his voice to many animated projects, including theHotel Transylvaniaseries. This includes some memorable villains, like Randall inMonsters Inc.and the subsequent prequel,Monsters University.
Steve Buscemi’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked
Steve Buscemi is an incredibly versatile and accomplished actor, appearing in everything from Adam Sandler comedies to Coen Brothers classics.
Interestingly, Steve Buscemi has appeared in a previousTransformersmovie. In 2017’sTransformers: The Last Knight,Buscemi played the Autobot scrapper Daytrader. InTransformers One, Buscemi flips sides and takes on a role among the future Decepticons. Admittedly, Buscemi’s distinct, unique voice matches the character of Starscream much better, who is often depicted as having a raspy voice akin to his new actor’s inTransformers One.
Starscream’s Role In Transformers One Explained
Transformers One Seems To Be Flipping The Typical Megatron/Starscream Connection
InTransformers One, Starscream does not actually appear until midway through the film. The first half ofTransformers Onesets up the main villain of the film as Sentinel Prime, with Orion Pax and D-16 vowing to stop him. As they make their way back to Iacon City, Orion and D-16 are captured by a group of Transformers. Leading these Transformers is Starscream, with the group dubbing themselves the Cybertronian High Guard. Starscream and his followers were once an elite warrior group of Cybertron, yet defected againstTransformers One’s Sentinel Primeafter discovering his deception.
Starscream and his forces attack Iacon City alongside Orion’s allies…
Starscream and the other members of the High Guard thus began a guerrilla war campaign against Sentinel Prime, a concept that appeals to D-16, who shares their bloodlust. As a means to an end, Orion Pax joins forces with the High Guard. Starscream and his forces attack Iacon City alongside Orion’s allies, defeating Sentinel Prime’s own guards before D-16, finally dubbing himself Megatron, kills the false Prime. The film ends with Starscream leaving Iacon City with other members of the High Guard, now following Megatron’s rule.
Starscream’s Future After Transformers One Explained
Starscream Will Likely Return Should Transformers One Receive A Sequel
To make Starscream’s role inTransformers Oneeven better, the film sets up his role in a potential sequel. A continuation ofTransformers Onehas not been confirmed by Paramount as of October 2024, yet director Josh Cooley has outwardly spoken about sequels should the movie perform well at the box office. These plans were clearly established inTransformers One’s post-credit scene, which sets up a future for Megatron, the Decepticons, and, most importantly, Starscream.
Transformers One’s Sequel Story: What Should Happen To Optimus Prime & Megatron Next
While ending its narrative on a well-rounded note, Transformers One also paves the way for new future story developments for Megatron & Optimus Prime.
In this scene, Megatron is shown hiding out on Cybertron after being banished by Optimus Prime. The members of the High Guard that chose to follow him are also present, including Starscream. Starscream is one of the few Transformers shown to have the insignia of Megatronus Prime, the inspiration of D-16’s Megatron, branded onto his body as other members of the High Guard do so. This proves that Starscream is a loyal follower of Megatron now, as the latter dubs his followers the Decepticons, setting up the iconic war to follow with the Autobots for aTransformers Onesequel.
Transformers One
Cast
Transformers One is an animated action-adventure movie that marks the first animated feature-length film for the series in decades. The film will be a prequel to the franchise, and will tell the story of Optimus Prime and Megatron in their early years, how they met, and a closer look at the war on their home planet, Cybertron.
