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Transformers Gets Collaboration With G1 Optimus Prime Hot Wheels Figures

Transformers has been the leading brand of transforming robots for 40 years, with the franchise synonymous with the idea of toy robots that transform into cars. Ironically, collaborations with other toy car brands have been minimal, but that's now changing thanks to a die-cast truck that's more than meets the eye.

Through the TFW 2005THE Hot Wheels™ Transformers Optimus Prime rebuilds the classic design of the iconic Autobot leader as a Hot Wheels toy vehicle. Cast in a metal frame for the first time in years, it also transforms in a similar way to the Optimus Prime toy that many 1980s kids grew up with. It's one of many new toys from the brand released in celebration of its 40th anniversary, with many of the figures being versions of Optimus Prime.

Optimus Prime e Megatron em visual promocional de Transformers Night Run

Transformers fans in Malaysia can transform and race, with October 2024's Transformers Night Run pitting athletic Autobots against Decepticons.

Mattel reveals a behind-the-scenes look at Hot Wheels Optimus Prime

The recently revealed Hot Wheels Mattel Creations' Optimus Prime figure is more than just a toy truck, with the familiar semi-truck with a cab transforming into a Cybertronian Autobot warrior. It's also made of die-cast metal—something that wasn't used in the main line. Transformers figures for decades. In recreating the classic toy, Prime’s fists are stored in his chest and attached to the front of his cowl in robot mode. He also comes with his G1 Ion Blaster, perfectly capturing the feel of the original Hasbro/Takara release. This figure was actually a “re-release” of Battle Convoy, a Takara toy. Diaclone franchise. There, however, it was a piloted mecha and not an alien robot.

Mansong Cheung, sculptor and designer at Mattel, praised the creation of the toy:

The truck is very simple; what really stands out is the transformation. And I spent many hours trying to figure out how to transform it and make it work at this scale, scaling it down to half or maybe 1/3 the size of the original 1984 Transformers.
So the legs are fused; the chest, obviously, the lower body, all of that is fused. Using the wheel as our scale, everything is scaled down to match the size of the wheel so that it lives in the Hot Wheels universe.

The Optimus Prime Transformer Hot Wheels The toy is just one planned collaboration between the brands. Other upcoming toys include licensed recreations of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee in their Generation 1 vehicle modes (a Volkswagen Beetle, in Bumblebee's case). These die-cast cars won't transform, but elements of their robot modes, like their heads, will be visible on the bottom of the cars.

Arte conceitual e figura do brinquedo Transformers T-Spark Rodimus Prime.

Takara Tomy's new T-Spark project will reimagine several brands, including Transformers, with the first release being a new Rodimus Prime figure.

Optimus Prime and the Transformers continue to be released after 40 years

Optimus Prime faz pose de lutador em Bumblebee

THE Transformers The franchise launched in 1984 with a toy line, comic book series, and animated television series as a collaboration between East and West. It introduced a generation of new fans to characters like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and Starscream. The series has since taken on a variety of other forms, including anime, films, and video games. Hasbro and Takara, along with several partners, are now celebrating the past four decades with a series of new toys and action figures. Optimus Prime is leading the charge, transforming and implementing like never before through collaborative figures like the upcoming Sports Bingo vs Transformers Corvette C7 Optimus Prime toy.

The brand and Prime itself are also sprucing up other products, including the Beyblade x Transformers spinning tops that show the faces of various disguised robots. Even a new figure for Lio Convoy, Optimus Prime's doppelganger in Transformers anime War of the Beasts IIwill receive a revised collectible in 2024. This is all before the release of Transformers One, where a young Optimus Prime and his original incarnation (Orion Pax) will be voiced by Chris Hemsworth. Regardless of what form or medium the property takes next, Optimus Prime remains its main face, especially when it comes to his classic design.

Transformers

Transformers is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two warring factions of alien robots that can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals.

First Movie: Transformers
Cast: Peter Cullen, Wil Wheaton, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Luna Lauren Velez, Dominique Fishback