Don’t know your Optimus Prime from your Rodimus Prime? Your Megatron from your Galvatron? If you can’t tell one Transformer from another, here’s a rundown before you see “Transformers.”
DECEPTICONS
the bad guys
Megatron/Galvatron (right)
Megatron commands the merciless Decepticons,but after suffering a severe injury in his grudge match with Optimus, he’s reborn as Galvatron. In the original story, Megatron turns into a gun, but in the movie, he apparently turns into a spaceship.
Starscream
Second in command but first in bad attitude, Starscream, who shape-shifts into an F-15 fighter jet, constantly plotted for Decepticon leadership.
Bonecrusher
The Constructicons do much of the Decepticons’ heavy lifting and dirty work, so Constructicon big guy Bonecrusher often gets to live up to his name. AUTOBOTS
the good guys
Ironhide
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One of Optimus Prime’s most reliable soldiers, his original alternate form was a van, but he’s reportedly a pickup in the movie.
Optimus Prime (left)
If John Wayne were made of metal and could turn into a giant 18-wheeler at will, he’d be leader of the heroic Autobots.
Bumblebee
Many longtime fans are upset that in the new movie, the loyal and honorable Bumblebee is a Camaro instead of the original VW Beetle.
[ SOURCE: STANLEY LUI’S “THE TRANSFORMERS ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA” AND SIMON FURMAN’S “TRANSFORMERS: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE.” ]