While it was very divisive upon its initial release, 1986's The Transformers: The Movie has since been welcomed with open arms by fans of Transformersand non-fans alike, certifying its place as a cult classic. With its gorgeous and inventive animation, incredible action, likable characters, and darker tone, it's been hailed as the best Transformers film of all time (though 2018's Bumblebee is deserving of being considered for that title as well).
With that kind of legacy, there's probably a good number of fans who would wonder what the film would look like if it were made today and who could star in it. Fortunately, there's no shortage of great and talented actors working today that could take on the roles of some of the film's heroic Autobots and villainous Decepticons, not to mention Unicron.
10 Danny Pudi as Wheelie
To say that Wheelie is the least favorite character of most Transformers fans would be quite the understatement, as the pint-sized Autobot got annoying because of his rhyming speech pattern and the fact that he often doesn't contribute much to the stories he's in. But for a theoretical remake, perhaps taking away that speech pattern and making him more of an eccentric comic relief role that helps the other Autobots in his own way would improve on his original character substantially.
Danny Pudi would be able to make this version of Wheelie a much more enjoyable character, as the Community and DuckTales actor's hilarious and irreverent comedic timing would lend itself well to Wheelie's interactions with other characters such as Grimlock and the other Dinobots.
9 Alan Tudyk as Wreck-Gar
Eric Idle made quite the impression as the Junkion leader Wreck-Gar in the original film, though if there's anyone that could come close to matching his take on the character it's Alan Tudyk. The accomplished actor, who has lent his vocal talents to Disney films like Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, and Big Hero 6, is impeccable at creating unique and varied voices for the characters he plays.
There's no doubt that he could embody the eccentric speaking style and mannerisms of Wreck-Gar, whether he follows Idle's incarnation or puts his own spin on the role.
8 Ben Schwartz as Blurr
Is it too coincidental to cast Sonic the Hedgehog's Ben Schwartz as another blue speedster? Maybe, but that doesn't mean it's at all a bad choice.
The scene-stealing funnyman would no doubt be able to bring the same lightning fast comedic timing, likability, and charm he brought to Sonic to the motormouthed, paranoid Autobot soldier Blurr.
7 John Krasinski as Springer
The heroic triple-changer Springer needs an actor who can nail that blend of action star charisma and tough-as-nails attitude, and John Krasinski would certainly be up to the task. While he's taken on more serious, action-heavy roles of late in the A Quiet Place films (which he also directed) and Jack Ryan, Krasinski always manages to retain that likable charm and wit he brought to Jim Halpert on The Office.
Having him bring that experience and those characteristics to Springer would help keep the character true to his roots while also making him a fan-favorite for old and new generations of fans alike.
6 Rosa Salazar as Arcee
Salazar isn't a stranger to playing robotic beings, having memorably portrayed the title character in Alita: Battle Angel. She gave Alita a sense of warmth towards others as well as a resilient attitude towards fighting for what she believed in, and it's those same traits that would make her a perfect choice for Arcee.
Not only that, but she was able to handle Alita's badass moments flawlessly, and this could help her make this version of Arcee a bit more in line with the characterization from Transformers: Prime.
5 Kurtwood Smith as Kup
Kurtwood Smith has been an acclaimed actor for years, and he'd be an excellent choice to follow in Lionel Stander's footsteps as the elderly Autobot Kup. Smith is best known to fans of That '70s Show as Eric Forman's father Red and was a constant scene-stealer thanks to his character's lovably cynical and irritable personality, though at his heart Red did care for those around him despite how little he seemed to show it.
That same attitude is essential to Kup's character, and Smith could find the right way to show Kup's charm and heart of gold beneath his grouchy exterior.
4 Kevin Conroy as Ultra Magnus
The likes of Robert Stack and Michael Ironside have lent their incredible talents to the role of Ultra Magnus, so it's only fitting that the character be played by another powerful actor, that being Kevin Conroy. The man considered by many to be the definitive Batman has all the right traits to play Magnus.
As seen in his iconic portrayals of the Caped Crusader, Conroy's voice commands both the authority of others and their respect as well, and he has a gravitas to him that gives off nobility and the right amount of experience to show that he's been doing his job for years. It wouldn't be hard to see Conroy doing justice to Ultra Magnus's character like the previous actors before him.
3 Vincent D'Onofrio as Unicron
The late, great Orson Welles lent his iconic vocals to the monster planet Unicron in the original film, giving the character the right kind of subtle menace befitting a creature that has no qualms about ingesting planets whole. It's the kind of performance not many could live up to, but a high caliber actor like Vincent D'Onofrio would be able to emulate Welles's take on the character while still making the part his own.
One need only to look at D'Onofrio's astounding performance as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin on Netflix's Daredevil for an idea of what he could bring to the role, as the actor gave gave Fisk a similar kind of calm and methodical yet unsettling presence that could easily boil over into destructive anger. His voice alone would give off goosebumps the same way Welles's did as Unicron.
2 Willem Dafoe as Galvatron
As Galvatron, the late Leonard Nimoy gave a powerhouse performance that exemplified how much more dangerous and ruthless the villain was than he had been before as Megatron. So when it comes to looking for an actor who could bring a similar take on the role, who would be more perfect than the Green Goblin himself?
Willem Dafoe would no doubt bring the right mix of megalomania and sinister charisma to the role of Galvatron and make him just as intimidating and memorable an antagonist as Nimoy did.
1 Joe Keery as Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime
Hot Rod is the moral center of the film, going from a brash but good-intentioned young Autobot into a more responsible and dedicated character before receiving the Matrix of Leadership, which transforms him into the noble new leader of the Autobots, Rodimus Prime. Much like original actor Judd Nelson, the actor that plays Hot Rod needs to be able to come off as likably carefree and charismatic as Hot Rod but can also grow and mature in subtle ways onscreen while still keeping that light edge as Rodimus.
Stranger Things actor Joe Keery then would be able to play both roles: As seen on that Netflix series, his character Steve Harrington started out as kind of a jackass before going on to become a more humble and caring character in later seasons.