Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts: Release Date, Cast, And More

The "Transformers" franchise is a big one for Paramount Pictures, and with 2018's "Bumblebee" being the last movie to come out, we're due for some more "Transformers" action soon. Fortunately, the studio isn't making fans wait much longer for the next installment. This time, we're going back to the '90s, and fans of the spin-off series "Beast Wars" will be particularly happy, because the latest installment is taking the form of, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts." Read on to learn all we know about the movie so far, including when it will be released.

"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is currently set to premiere in theaters on June 9, 2023. The movie is already filmed and in the can, with the release date delayed a full yeat at one point by Paramount. That being the case, it is very unlikely that the date will shift again. This will be exclusive to theaters upon release, with the movie eventually set to make its way to VOD and Paramount+. But initially, it will require a trip to the theater.

Those who are only familiar with the Michael Bay "Transformers" movies may be wondering what the heck these Beasts are all about. Those of a certain age who watched a certain cartoon show, however, may already know that the Beasts in the "Transformers" universe are prehistoric animals that are similar to the Transformers you know and love.

Instead of Autobots and Decepticons, the two Beast groups are Predacons and Maximals. This upcoming "Transformers" film will have all four of these alien races in it and takes place in 1994. Another robot race will also make an appearance, the Terrorcons — who are essentially zombie Transformers — are the Big Bad of the movie. 

While it seemed like the franchise was a bit lost following the release of 2017's "The Last Knight," Paramount has big, big plans for the future – and this movie is just the beginning. "Rise of the Beasts will, per the studio, be the first of three new installments destined for the big screen. Outside of that, we've got a new animated series from Nickelodeon debuting this fall. Plus, in 2024, the franchise will expand even further with a CG animated "Transformers" movie that will be released in theaters. So this is, in many ways, the start of a bold new era for the Autobots and Decepticons.

The human cast of "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" includes Anthony Ramos (seen above from "In the Heights") and Dominique Fishback ("Judas and the Black Messiah"). Ramos will be playing "a flawed and vulnerable hero" who becomes buddies with Optimus Prime while Fishback will be working at a museum in New York City when Transformer things happen.

Ron Perlman is also part of the cast — he'll be voicing Optimus Primal, a Maximal who is what Optimus Prime would look like if he was a robot ape. Luna Lauren Velez of "Dexter" fame is also in the film, though we don't know much about her role yet. Speaking of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen is back voicing the leader of the Autobots in "Rise of the Beasts."

Paramount has decidedly look to move away from the era of Michael Bay "Transformers" movies, and "Rise of the Beasts" is directed by "Creed II" filmmaker, Steven Caple Jr. Joby Harold wrote the screenplay, with Matt Halloway and Art Marcum getting credit on earlier versions of the script.

Michael Bay is still on board as a producer along with Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Mark Vahradian, Cliff Lanning, and Don Murphy.

Those looking to catch up with the previous movies ahead of the release of "Rise of the Beasts," there is some good news and bad news. The good news is that all of the previous installments are streaming somewhere. The bad news? They aren't all in one place, which likely has to do with contracts that were struck before Paramount+ launched. 

As of this writing, "Transformers" is streaming on Hulu, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon, are streaming on Netflix, "Transformers: Age of Extinction" and "Bumblebee" are streaming on Paramount+, and "Transformers: The Last Knight" is not currently available on any major streaming service. 

Thankfully, aside from streaming, all of the films are available to rent through various digital detailers, such as Apple TV, Prime Video or Google Play. Plus, there are various Blu-ray/DVD sets out there, for those who are interested in physical media.

Paramount Pictures has released a full-length trailer for the film, which does not skimp on the "Beast Wars" action, for those who have been looking forward to seeing these characters in live-action for some time. Additionally, an official synopsis for the film can be found below, which promises that the action will be headed to the '90s.

Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a '90s globetrotting adventure and introduce the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons.