Thirty years after Hot Rod was introduced in "Transformers: The Movie," the fan-favorite Autobot is preparing to make his live-action debut in "Transformers: The Last Knight."

Director Michael Bay has unveiled a first look at the character -- in robot form, no less -- as he'll appear in the upcoming Paramount Pictures sequel, where he'll join such franchise veterans as Megatron, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Drift and Barricade.

Described in the image as "brash, slightly arrogant, protector," Hot Rod obtained the Matrix of Leadership in 1986's "Transformers: The Movie," which transformed him into Rodimus Prime, Optimus Prime's successor as leader of the Autobots. It's certainly possible that the Matrix will similarly pass to Hot Rod in "The Last Knight."

Opening June 28, 2017, "Transformers: The Last Knight" stars Mark Wahlberg, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Isabela Moner, Jerrod Carmichael, Laura Haddock, Santiago Cabrera and Anthony Hopkins.