Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts Cast Guide (What The Characters Look Like In Real Life)

The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts cast includes both returning actors from the previous films, like Peter Cullen, and newcomers like Anthony Ramos.

The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts cast features both familiar actors from the previous entries in the franchise and exciting newcomers making their first appearance in a Transformers movie. Set in 1994, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts revolves around a pair of Brooklyn archeologists who embark on a globetrotting journey with the Autobots and, along the way, contend with three new factions of Transformers: the Maximals, the Predacons, and the Terrorcons. Michael Bay isn’t in the director’s chair for this one — it’s directed by Creed II’s Steven Caple, Jr. — but Bay is on board as a producer for this next chapter in the Transformers franchise and the new cast members it brings.

Rather than checking in on existing characters like Shia LaBeouf’s Sam Witwicky, Mark Wahlberg’s Cade Yeager, or Hailee Steinfeld’s Charlie Watson, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts introduces all-new protagonists to the Transformers franchise. This movie adds such stars as Hamilton’s Anthony Ramos and Judas and the Black Messiah’s Dominique Fishback to the ensemble. Some familiar voices can be heard as the titular robots-in-disguise in the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts cast, like Transformers legacy actor Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, as well as new cast members like Peter Dinklage and Michelle Yeoh voicing new Transformer characters.

Related: The Full Live-Action Transformers Timeline Explained (& Best Watch Order)

Anthony Ramos plays Noah Diaz in the Rise of the Beasts cast, an ex-military electronics expert who lives in Brooklyn with the family he struggles to support (and is the replacement for Shia LeBeouf's Sam Witwicky insofar as he's the central male lead). Ramos got his big break when he originated the dual roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in Hamilton on Broadway. He went on to play Ally’s friend Ramon in A Star is Born, Usnavi de la Vega in the movie adaptation of In the Heights, and Staff Sergeant Anthony Martinez in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Ramos also voiced Mr. Piranha in The Bad Guys and King Trollex in Trolls World Tour.

Dominique Fishback's Transformers: Rise of the Beast character is Elena Wallace, an artifact researcher who works at a museum for an unappreciative boss. Fishback stars in Donald Glover’s psychological horror series Swarm as Andrea “Dre” Greene, and also played Billie Rowan on Show Me a Hero and Darlene on The Deuce. She was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her turn as Deborah Johnson in Judas and the Black Messiah. Fishback co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson in the Apple TV+ miniseries The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, in which she played Robyn.

Tobe Nwigwe joins the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts cast as Reek, a criminal friend of Noah's who pushes him into a situation where he finds Mirage and ends up in over his head in trouble. Nwigwe’s highest-profile acting role prior to Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is Nick in the Netflix dramedy series Mo. As a rapper, Nwigwe has been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. He first gained a following through his posts on Instagram and YouTube. Nwigwe has released such EPs as The Pandemic Project and At the Crib Arrangements and collaborated with artists like Pharrell Williams and Chamillionaire.

The leader of the Autobot resistance, Peter Cullen plays Optimus Prime in the Rise of the Beasts cast. Cullen has been voicing Optimus Prime since the original 1980s Transformers animated series. He also played the role in the previous Transformers movies, as well as video games and theme park rides. Cullen has also voiced such iconic characters as Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh franchise and Monterey Jack in Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, and he was the original voice of the villainous KARR in Knight Rider. Cullen provided the vocalizations for the titular monsters in Predator and the 1976 version of King Kong.

Ron Perlman's Transformers: Rise of the Beast character is Optimus Primal, the leader of the Maximals. Perlman previously played the part in Transformers: Power of the Primes, and so he was always a fitting choice for the live-action Optimus Primal. The actor is best known for playing Clay Morrow in Sons of Anarchy and the titular demonic antihero in regular collaborator Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy movies. His other voice roles include Lord Hood in the video games Halo 2 and Halo 3, Mr. Lancer in Danny Phantom, and the Stabbington brothers in Tangled. He also narrates the Fallout games.

Peter Dinklage joins the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts cast as Scourge, the trophy hunter who leads the Terrorcons. Dinklage is best known for his book-accurate portrayal of Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones, for which he won him a record-breaking four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Dinklage got his breakthrough with the starring role of Finbar McBride in The Station Agent and has since played Miles Finch in Elf, Dr. Bolivar Trask in X-Men: Days of Future Past, and James in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. He was also the original voice of Ghost in the video game Destiny.

Pete Davidson plays Mirage in the Rise of the Beasts cast, an Autobot who had been sent into hiding for several years. Davidson was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2014 to 2022. He starred as aspiring tattoo artist Scott Carlin in his self-penned, semi-autobiographical film vehicle The King of Staten Island. Davidson also played David in the whodunit slasher Bodies Bodies Bodies, Gary in the romantic comedy Meet Cute, and Blackguard in the superhero actioner The Suicide Squad. As a standup comedian, Davidson has released the comedy specials SMD and Alive from New York.

Michelle Yeoh's Transformers: Rise of the Beast character is Maximal warrior Airazor. Yeoh first gained international recognition with her roles as Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Wai Lin in the underrated James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as laundromat owner and multiversal traveler Evelyn Wang in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Yeoh is also known for her roles as Eleanor -Young in Crazy Rich Asians, Zi Yuan in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and Ying Nan in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Michael Kelly joins the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts cast as Agent Burke, appearing in the last scene of the movie before the end credits rolled. This was when Noahn thought he was interviewing for a job, only to be asked to join a secret U.S. task force. Burke is a recruiter for G.I. Joe. Fans might recognize Kelly from his role as Mike November in the Prime Video series Jack Ryan and as Jonathan "Prophet" Sims in Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. He also starred as Doug Stamper in House of Cards on Netflix.

Colman Domingo voices Unicron in the Rise of the Beasts cast. While he showed up at the start and then during the final battle of the movie, it looks like he will play a bigger role other than just the big bad in the Rise of the Beasts cast. Unicron will likely be set up as the chief antagonist in this current series of Transformers movies, so Colman Domingo's role in Rise of the Beasts is likely just the beginning. Outside of Transformer Domingo is known for his role as Strand on Fear the Walking Dead. He also had roles in Lincoln, Selma, If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. He also picked up an Independent Spirit nomination for his performance in Zola.

Related: Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts 2 - Is The Sequel Happening? Cast, Story & Everything We Know

Lauren Vélez as Mrs. Diaz: Noah’s mother, Mrs. Diaz, is played by Lauren Vélez. Vélez is best known for playing Captain María LaGuerta on Dexter. She also played Dr. Gloria Nathan on Oz and Elena on Ugly Betty, and voices Rio Morales in the animated Spider-Verse movies.

Liza Koshy as Arcee: Autobot commando Arcee is voiced by Liza Koshy. Koshy is a star of Vine and YouTube who made her acting debut with the role of Aday Walker in Boo! A Madea Halloween. She has also hosted the Nickelodeon game show Double Dare and starred as Jasmine Hale in the Netflix dance movie Work It.

Cristo Fernández as Wheeljack: Cristo Fernández plays the role of Wheeljack, an Autobot scientist and mechanic. A former professional footballer for the Liga Premier de México, Fernández is best known for playing Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso.

John DiMaggio as Stratosphere and Transit: John DiMaggio plays dual roles in the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts cast as Stratosphere, an Autobot Air-Soldier, and Transit, a Terrorcon. DiMaggio is known for such iconic voice roles as the quotable Bender on Futurama, Jake the Dog on Adventure Time, Dr. Drakken on Kim Possible, and Marcus Fenix in the Gears of War video games.

David Sobolov as Rhinox and Battletrap: Like DiMaggio, David Sobolov plays two roles in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. He voices Rhinox, a Maximal commando, and Battletrap, a Terrorcon. Sobolov has voiced RoboCop in RoboCop: Alpha Commando and Drax the Destroyer in various Marvel animated projects, and previously played Blitzwing in the Bumblebee movie.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez as Nightbird: Nightbird, a Terrorcon, is played by Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. Rodriguez is best known for her turn as Blanca Evangelista on Pose. She won the 2011 Clive Barnes Award for her performance as Angel Dumott Schunard in a stage production of Rent.

Tongayi Chirisa as Cheetor: Tongayi Chirisa plays Cheetor, a Maximal scout. Chirisa previously played Man Friday on Crusoe and Father Nicholas on The Jim Gaffigan Show.

On top of the several Transformers who had quality voice actors bringing them to life, there were also others that never spoke a word, yet appeared in the movie in major roles. This, of course, included Bumblebee, who hasn't been able to talk since the start and has to use his car radio to deliver his often humorous responses, either in song or movie quotations. It also includes Terrorcons and Predacons, who appeared in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts cast, but didn't need a human to voice their lines.

Bumblebee: Autobot scout Bumblebee, who previously starred in his own self-titled spin-off movie, has a supporting role in the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts cast.

Freezer: Freezer, a Terrorcon who transforms into weapon artillery for Scourge and the other Terrorcons to use, appears in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

Scorponok: Predacon Scorponok, who transforms into a scorpion, also appears in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.