Peter Cullen's death sparks criticism of Transformers movie rerelease

Fans have expressed criticism regarding Hasbro’s planned 40th-anniversary rerelease of ‘The Transformers: The Movie’ following the death of legendary voice actor Peter Cullen. Cullen, who famously voiced Optimus Prime, passed away on August 26, 2026, at the age of 85.

Hasbro had previously announced a theatrical rerelease for September 17, 2026, as part of a campaign titled the ‘Apology Tour.’ The branding refers to the emotional impact of Optimus Prime’s death in the original 1986 film. Following Cullen’s passing, some fans have voiced concerns on social media that the ‘Apology Tour’ branding and related merchandise feel inappropriate given the loss of the actor who defined the character.

Hasbro’s strategy was intended to lean into nostalgia and acknowledge the deep emotional connection fans formed with the characters during the 1980s. The company’s global brand strategy team had described the campaign as an effort to show humility and self-awareness regarding the film’s legacy.