// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Unicron say to the planet? You're consumed by my presence.
| Unicron | |
|---|---|
| Transformers character | |
![]() Unicron as depicted in comics by IDW Publishing | |
| Voiced by | Orson Welles, Colman Domingo, others |
Unicron is a fictional villain from the Transformers media franchise. Designed by Floro Dery, he first appears in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie and has since reappeared in other Transformers media. In the franchise, he is depicted as an evil god-like being that can transform into a giant mechanical planet.
Fictional character biography
[edit]According to the Transformers lore, Unicron was created by a god known as the One so that he could explore the universe in its early stages. The One then split Unicron into two, creating the god Primus as the good twin brother of the evil Unicron. The two went to war, with Primus eventually luring Unicron from the astral plane into the physical one, trapping both of them within metallic planets. Primus became Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers, while Unicron learned to transform his planet form into a giant robot and gain power by consuming planets.[1]
Development history
[edit]Unicron makes his debut in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie.[2] He was designed by illustrator Floro Dery, and his characterization was inspired by the character Galactus from the Marvel Universe.[3] In the film, he transforms the villainous Megatron into Galvatron, who serves as his puppet. Galvatron and Unicron are both ultimately defeated by Rodimus Prime, the successor to Optimus Prime. Rodimus destroys Unicron's body from within and sends his head flying into space.[4] In the film, Unicron is voiced by Orson Welles in his final acting role.[5] Welles recorded his lines as Unicron on October 5, 1985, and died five days later on October 10. Film historian Joseph McBride quoted Welles as being dismissive of his role, saying, "I play a planet. I menace somebody called Something-or-other. Then I'm destroyed."[6]
Unicron appears again in the live-action film Transformers: The Last Knight. This film establishes that Unicron actually resides dormant within the core of the planet Earth.[7] The villain Quintessa plans to drain energy from Unicron in order to rebuild Cybertron. Because The Last Knight was the final film in the original live-action film series, this plot point goes unresolved.[8]
Unicron appears again as the main villain in the reboot film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. This film retcons his appearance in The Last Knight.[8] In Rise of the Beasts, Unicron is a cosmic god that destroys the home planet of the Maximal faction of Transformers in order to find the Transwarp Key, an item he needs in order to move through space. He sends his minions, Scourge and the Terrorcons, to search the universe for the key, with them ultimately tracking the Maximals to Earth. Scourge ultimately acquires the Key and opens a portal to Earth to summon Unicron. Optimus Prime ultimately destroys the Key, closing the portal and trapping Unicron in space. In the film, Unicron is voiced by Colman Domingo.[9]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Transformers: 5 Facts to Know About Unicron". Comicbook.com. 5 September 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- ↑ "A brief history of the Transformers". Malaysia Star. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ↑ McCoy, Joshua Kristian (2 May 2023). "Transformers: Who Is Unicron?". GameRant. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ Lealos, Shawn S.; Raymond, Nicholas (27 April 2023). "Who (& What) Is Unicron? Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' Villain Explained". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ "Welles' last role? Original 'Transformers'". TODAY.com. 23 June 2007. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ Swansburg, John (2 July 2007). "When Orson Welles Was a Transformer". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ McMillan, Graeme (26 June 2017). "The Unanswered Question at the Heart of 'Transformers: The Last Knight'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- 1 2 Hood, Cooper (27 April 2023). "Unicron?! How Rise Of The Beasts' Villain Retcons Michael Bay's Last Transformers Movie". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 17 December 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ Oddo, Marco Vito (8 June 2023). "'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Ending Explained: The Universe Expands". Collider. Archived from the original on 24 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- Animated characters introduced in 1986
- Extraterrestrial supervillains
- Fictional giants
- Fictional gods
- Fictional living planets
- Fictional mass murderers
- Fictional megastructures
- Fictional murderers
- Fictional telepaths
- Film characters introduced in 1986
- Male characters in animated television series
- Male film villains
- Male supervillains
- Male television villains
- Robot supervillains
- Transformers characters
- Weapons of mass destruction in fiction
- Villains in animated television series
- Fictional robots in films
