Interview with Peter Cullen
sf_dtail_49 knows about this, but for those that don't...
A while back a member of a forum I'm on posted about an interview that was coming up with Peter Cullen. This member does some work for Paramount and apparently they'd decided that instead of getting a critic to ask the questions, they'd ask the fans to come up with questions. SF, when told about this, and that I'd post up a question from him if he could think of one, seemed to get writers-block.
Anyway, the interview was finally posted on the forum a couple of days ago and I thought I'd post it here, mainly for SF :P
*1. How excited are you that you are once again Optimus prime for such a defining event in Transformers history? Are you as excited as you were back in 1986? Or even more-so due to Optimus not being killed off early in the film, which was something that was made widely known through advertisement before the first film in 1986?*
PC: Thrilled would be more like it, and knowing I will not be smacked in this one, allows the good feelings to continue where they left off those many years ago.
*2. I know the new movie has a large emphasis on special effects, but do you think it has all the other elements that make a great movie like the original?*
PC: From all reports, and from what I have seen personally, you will be amazed as I was. This is as good as Hollywood gets. It is Bay's biggest movie yet, and with Mr. Speilberg at the helm, I know you too will be impressed.
*3. When you did the voice of Optimus Prime in the 1980s, did you know Transformers was going to be a hit with children of that generation?*
PC: Not really, although I knew that a change was necessary, and I knew what a hero could really be. I only became aware of this many years later.
*4. How have you seen Transformers change since you first started voicing Optimus Prime back in the early 80’s?*
PC: I only did Optimus for a few years, so after his death I had no interest in the show.
*5. Do you feel as Synonymous with Optimus Prime as you are to his Fans?*
PC: Yes I do. I suppose there is a mysterious understanding between them, and that makes a great connection
*6. Who is Optimus Prime to you? Where did his voice come from? *
PC: My brother Larry is a former United States Marine Corps Captain, and upon his return from Vietnam, I saw elements of courage, dignity, strength and integrity. They were impressions I would never forget. He is older by thirteen months, and our vocal range is similar, I simply applied his persona to the script.
*7. What was recording for the latest movie like? Was it anything like it was back in the day? *
PC: It was a wonderful experience to work with Michael Bay, but nothing like the original series. In this film I worked alone. The series had the entire cast together.
*8. How is working with Frank Welker again, on the Transformers: The Movie Game? Is it like old times? *
PC: Oh wow! It was fantastic. Frank has that ability to make me laugh more than anyone I know. He is total genius. There is a taped recording somewhere of the two of us going on forever just having fun answering questions.
*9. Had you often hoped for a chance to reprise your role as Optimus Prime?*
PC: Honestly, no. I never thought about it. I had no need to. He was gone and I moved on, sadly somewhat, but working in this business requires continuous dedicated effort, and that’s all I thought about.
*10. Do you own any Optimus Prime toys yourself? Why or Why not? *
PC: Yes I do. I have an original that has become somewhat distorted over the years from the kids playing with it secretly, but I still treasure it for all its bruises. I have received, in more recent times, a growing collection of toys from fans. I cherish them, for they remind me constantly of that hidden bond.
*11. Is the Optimus we see in the new movie very different from the Optimus we knew in the Cartoons? *
PC: The qualities of character are all there. He is more human as he relates to people, so there will be humor from time to time, and that is necessary to make him more than real.
*12. How did you find the difference between, recording for a cartoon show back in the 80’s, compared to a big budget Hollywood blockbuster? *
PC: In the show, we all worked together as a unit. We took and gave to each other as the script demanded, and in the movie I had only the characters on the screen to relate to. It was different, but none the less, worked equally as well. Minus Frank of course, and that was the only bummer.
*13. Do you at least get a cameo in the movie?*
PC: Nah! They think I'm a voice actor only.
*14. I think it’s safe to say that without you having taken on the roll of Optimus back in the early days, Transformers wouldn’t be what it is today. Are you proud, humbled or don’t believe it? *
PC: If that is the case, and judging from the responses over the years, it is very humbling. I have had opportunity to be with people that have expressed Prime's impact on their lives. They have touched me deeply, and Yes, I am proud to have had a good influence. There is nothing more important in life than knowing you made a difference, and for that I am grateful, extremely grateful.
*15. Are you disappointed that Frank didn’t get the role of Megatron in the movie, are you happy with Hugo Weaving as your onscreen counterpart?*
PC: I think you can surmise my reaction. Yes I was disappointed, sad, because he is so incredible, and it should have been his time as well. I did not work with Mr. Weaving, in fact I have not even heard his Megatron, and so it will be new to me too. I am sure it will be wonderfully strong in any case.