How Did Orion Pax Become Optimus Prime?

Since the time Transformers first hit our screens, Optimus Prime has been the legendary leader of the Autobots. Still, the 2007 live-action adaptation of Transformers made Optimus Prime a role model for many people and became one of cinematic history’s most influential characters. However, even though the Transformers live-action cinematic universe, even though running for a long time, never explored Optimus Prime’s origin story. So, how did Orion Pax become the Optimus Prime we are familiar with?

What Is the Story Behind Orion Pax?

Even though live-action Transformers never explored Optimus Prime’s previous identity, Orion Pax, the first Transformers animated show released in 1984 did. According to this show, Orion Pax was just a regular worker bot on Cybertron. These worker bots were not able to Transform and were entirely created just to do the menial works of Cybertron. Some other stories in comic book adaptations also tell us that Orion Pax was a data clerk who worked under the command of Alpha Trion.

Another one suggests that Orion Pax was just a regular citizen on Cybertron. However, even though there are multiple backstories, the most prevalent and accepted story is that Orion Pax was just a worker bot who could not transform before becoming Optimus Prime.

Optimus Prime’s Origin Story in The Transformers Series (1984)

After the toy line of Transformers by Hasbro started gaining popularity, an animated series was made and released in 1984. This series explored the origin of Optimus Prime telling us that Optimus was formerly known as Orion Pax and was a worker bot at a storage yard who couldn’t transform. One day while he was at work, Megatron and his Decepticons attacked the storage yard to steal the the resources there. Orion stood against them but since he was just a worker bot, he couldn’t hold his ground for long and was severely injured and almost died.

Alpha Trion recovered Orion Pax’s injured body and repaired him using his resources and also made him stronger than he could have ever imagined using the Matrix of Leadership. After Orion Pax recovered and started on the path to stop Megatron, seeing his capabilities and leadership, the high council made Orion a Prime and gave him the name of Optimus Prime.

Transformers One Seems to Have Changed Optimus Prime’s Origin

Now it seems that Transformers One will change Optimus Prime’s origin a bit to align it with Michael Bay’s Transformers universe. In the Michael Bay movies, Optimus Prime has often said that Megatron used to be like his brother which is the same case in Transformers One. In the trailer for Transformers One, we see that Megatron and Orion Pax are best friends who receive the power to transform at the same time.

Following this Megatron gradually gets corrupted and the two best friends become sworn enemies. This subtle change in story is a nod to the original Transformers franchise and sets Transformers One at the top of the chronological order of Transformers movies. However, since the movie is not out yet, we can’t comment on how Megatron becomes the leader of the Decepticons and if we get to see the same story of Optimus Prime becoming the leader of the Autobots as seen in the animated show so let’s wait till September 20, 2024, to find out how Transformers One will treat this story and till then stay tuned with us for further updates!