Warning: Spoilers Ahead! This article reveals key plot details and the ending of “Transformers One” (currently showing in theaters). Proceed with caution if you haven’t seen it yet.

The iconic moment of Optimus Prime converting into a truck and leading his Autobot squad is firmly etched in the memories of fans who enjoyed the classic 1980s “Transformers” cartoons or the latest live-action films.

In the animated film “Transformers One,” it’s humorously entertaining when Optimus—originally Orion Pax (voiced by Chris Hemsworth)—and his robotic companions first get their transformation mechanisms and face a few hiccups. Their mechanical features malfunction, with heads retracting at inappropriate times and limbs failing to function while they attempt to change into their vehicle forms.

This scene draws inspiration from director Josh Cooley’s childhood experiences with Transformers toys.

“Some of my Transformers were so complicated that I often found myself stuck halfway through the process and would call out to my dad for help!” recounts Cooley, known for “Toy Story 4.” “Throughout my childhood, I often ended up with Transformers scattered on the floor, partially transformed.”

As an avid viewer of “Transformers” Saturday morning cartoons, Cooley infused the film with numerous Easter eggs and nods to the classic series. “Transformers” tells the story of how Optimus and his adversary Megatron—known in this film as D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry)—transitioned from close friends to fierce rivals. Here, the filmmaker elaborates on the film’s conclusion, standout cameos, and a significant post-credits scene:

Recap of the Ending of ‘Transformers One’

Together with their allies Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key), better known to fans as Bumblebee, Orion and D-16 embark on a quest to find the legendary Matrix of Leadership. They uncover that their leader, Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), betrayed Cybertron and was responsible for the demise of the ruling Primes due to his dealings with the malevolent Quintessons. Orion seeks justice while the enraged D-16 wishes for vengeance. In a tumultuous confrontation, D-16 accidentally harms Orion while targeting Sentinel, allowing him to plunge into the core of Cybertron, which happens to house the Matrix. There, he is resurrected by the Primes, transforming into the mighty Optimus and ultimately overpowering his former friend, exiling D-16 and his followers.

Initially, Cooley contemplated an ending without a substantial fight, but he realized the audience craved that climactic moment. “When (Megatron’s) weapon is drawn, that’s a pivotal moment. When (Optimus’) mask is deployed, that’s thrilling. These are the moments fans anticipate,” he explains.

Are There Any Nostalgic ‘Transformers’ Cameos?

Fans of the original ‘80s cartoon will spot several nostalgic characters. Classic figures like Autobots’ Jazz and familiar Decepticons such as Soundwave, Shockwave, and Starscream (voiced by Steve Buscemi) have prominent scenes. Many others make cameo appearances in the background, rewarding viewers who keep a sharp eye. At one point, Cooley noticed that animators were sneakily placing their favorite characters into the scenes. He encouraged them, saying, “Go for it!”

Interestingly, Cooley even lent his voice to a character, portraying the Decepticon jet Skywarp. “Being a Decepticon is a blast,” says the director. “It was like regaining a bit of my childhood.”

Does ‘Transformers One’ Feature a Post-Credits Scene?

Yes, it actually has two post-credits scenes. The first follows the initial set of credits, showcasing B-127 showcasing his impressive “knife hands” to his discarded junk friends, inadvertently removing one’s head in the process. The second scene occurs just before the lights come up in the theater: Megatron brandishes the iconic Decepticon symbol on his newly acquired followers, rallying them with a powerful message. “We will not be deceived any longer,” he declares, referring to his former partner. “Decepticons, rise up!”

“It was crucial for him to officially refer to them as Decepticons at some point,” Cooley shares,

The initial idea was to position that moment right before the crucial battle. However, Cooley found it seemed “forced” into the plot, prompting him to place it at the very end of the film instead, which he thought was “pretty fantastic.”

Cooley also clarifies that this change helps explain the name of the villainous group. He mentioned, “Nobody introduces themselves as ‘We’re the bad guys!’ By giving (Megatron) a twisted version of Optimus’s motivational speech at the film’s conclusion, he can express, ‘We’ve been wronged, and we are no longer going to be overlooked. It’s time to take control.’”