Finally! Hot Rod is being introduced inTransformers: The Last Knight! A longtime fan-favorite Autobot, Hot Rod was first introduced in the classic animated adventure, 1986’sTransformers: The Movie. And ever since, audiences have waited with baited breath to see this guy return in one of the live-action sequels. Unlike some of the other recentTransformers 5reveals, we don’t get to see an actual photo of Hot Rod in his car form. Instead, we get to see theAutobotin his true robot form courtesy ofHasbro’s official Transformers Twitter.
Hot Rod is just the latest in a long line of reveals from Michael Bay’s fifth and finalTransformersadventure. Since filming began earlier in the year, the director has made sure to keep a steady stream of photos and other exciting sneak peeks coming. So far, we’ve seen the return of Megatron and Optimus Prime, the new Bumblebee, Barricade, the introduction of the Combaticons via Onslaught and a transforming Vespa known as Squeeks, the first of his kind to be introduced in a Transformers movie. But perhaps Hot Rod is the most exciting for true 80s fans of theTransformers franchise.
Hot Rod is a younger Autobot. He’s known for his brash attitude and his overconfidence. He played a crucial role in the 1986 animated movie. And it truly is exciting to finally see him arrive in the new incarnation of the franchise. His presence also hints that a wider world is about to be explored outside of whatever takes place in the Last Knight. Here’s what Hasbro had to say about the character.
“Hot Rod: This is no cartoon! Height: 16'1”. History: Bumblebee’s Brother-In-Arms. Personality: Brash, Slightly Arrogant, Protector."
The second live-action movieTransformers: Revenge of the Fallenintroduced the Matrix of Leadership in this current franchise, but Hot Rod actually acquired it inTransformers: The MovieafterOptimus Primetransformed him into Rodimus Prime, making him the leader of the Autobots. In the current timeline, the matrix wasn’t mentioned inTransformers: Age of Extinction, and it is believed that Prime still has it after using it to revive Sentinel Prime inTransformers: Dark of the Moon. So it’s possible thatThe Last Knightis actually referencing the Matrix, withTransformers 5curbing some of it’s story from the animated movie. Hot Rod very well could be the Last Knight of the title.
It’s also possible that this is all pointing to a live-action big screen battle between Rodimus Prime and Unicron, something fans have been clamoring for a long time. if this is how it plays out, we could just be looking at Hot Rod’s first form here in this concept art, with the Autobot set to get a larger, different form by the end of this particular sequel. Take a look at Hot Rod as he will first appear in the movie. It has also recently been confirmed that Ken Watanabe’s Drift, who first showed up inTransformers 4, will be making a return appearance, but his new form hasn’t been revealed at this time. Perhaps we’ll see him next week.Transformers: The Last Knightis in theaters July 09, 2025. It will be followed by a standaloneBumblebee movieon July 01, 2025, and thenTransformers 6will arrive June 19, 2025. Get ready for a lot of transforming!
